TechCapsules

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced that quantum technology will be a priority in India’s next major infrastructure investments, alongside artificial intelligence and semiconductor chips. Speaking at a IIT Madras alumni fireside chat, she urged collaboration between academia and industry to build hardware, skills, and institutions needed for emerging technologies. While no specific funding or timetable was disclosed, she dismissed claims that India lags in AI or quantum, noting that stock‑market listings do not fully reflect domestic activity. [...]

In Malaysian broker accounts, Meta ad budgets of $50,000–70,000 generate 40–60 new creatives, each costing roughly $1,200. With a cost per lead of $9–10, each creative yields about 130 leads, of which 40–55% confirm contact details within seven days. At a typical 2.1–3.2% lead‑to‑deposit rate, this translates to roughly 2.8 first deposits per creative. The data show a 2.4‑to‑3.4‑fold spread between the cheapest and most expensive creatives, highlighting inefficiencies in current testing practices.

Two trailers branded with Nvidia and PlusAI logos were stolen from Newark, California, last week. The thieves expected to haul high‑value GPUs, but each trailer contained 20,000 pounds of sand used to simulate loads for autonomous truck testing. PlusAI discovered the missing sand after a text alert, recovered the trailers, and found no theft of the trucks or hardware. No arrests have been made. The incident underscores the growing risk of high‑value tech thefts disguised as ordinary [...]

A new open‑source AI science tutor, Hiraia, has been released for Filipino students, capable of running offline on entry‑level Android phones. Developed by blockchain entrepreneur Luis Buenaventura, the app delivers lessons in Tagalog, Bisaya, and English, addressing gaps revealed by World Bank data on Filipino 15‑year‑olds lagging in math and science. Powered by SEA AI Lab’s Sailor 2 and Qwen 3.5‑2B models, it contains 40,000 science facts and 30,000 illustrations aligned with the Department of Education’s Matatag curriculum. The [...]

Argos has announced a promotion allowing customers to purchase a Nintendo Switch 2 game for £20, provided they also buy the handheld console. The offer is part of a broader strategy to boost sales of the new Switch model, which launched earlier this year. The discount applies to select titles and is available both online and in physical stores. The promotion is expected to drive early adoption of the Switch 2 and increase its market share against

SpaceX’s Starship, its 14th flight, is scheduled for a 7:15 am Central Time launch, marking the first orbital mission of the Super Heavy rocket. The flight will deploy 26 next‑generation Starlink V3 satellites, each capable of 1 Tbps downlink and 160 Gbps uplink, boosting global internet speeds and reliability. Starship will reach an altitude of about 275 km, complete roughly six orbits, and aim for a splashdown in the Pacific west of Chile. The Super Heavy booster will perform launch, ascent, [...]

Apple is preparing a new MacBook Pro redesign, likely titled MacBook Ultra, slated for an October launch. Rumors indicate three major updates: an OLED display replacing the current LCD, a touch‑screen capability integrated with macOS 27, and a shift from the existing notch to a hole‑punch camera cutout that will support Dynamic Island. The OLED panel promises deeper blacks and better battery efficiency, while touch input will complement traditional trackpad and keyboard use. The design changes aim [...]

Socure has integrated its AI‑driven RiskOS platform into Circle’s Arc Layer‑1 blockchain, embedding identity verification and fraud prevention directly into Arc Onramp, the feature that converts fiat to USDC. The move places verification at the entry point of traditional money into the blockchain, as Arc launches on mainnet with support from over 100 institutional builders and initial validators from major financial institutions. Socure’s configurable decisioning layer consolidates identity signals, allowing developers and institutions to calibrate assurance levels [...]