TechCapsules

Splendor Labs SA launched the Splendor Quantum Chain, a live Layer‑1 blockchain that integrates post‑quantum cryptography, including ML‑DSA‑65 signatures, ML‑KEM‑768 security, dual ML‑DSA/SLH‑DSA verification, and RLNC data transport. The network, powered by the native SPLD token, supports digital‑asset tokenization, real‑world asset representation, and AI‑driven applications. It targets institutional finance, with major firms such as BlackRock, JPMorgan, and Goldman Sachs already exploring tokenized assets. The platform offers a developer ecosystem featuring SQC‑VM, JavaScript/TypeScript SDKs, and a WebAssembly signer, [...]

AMD announced an $8.2 billion acquisition of World Labs, a deep‑learning company focused on models that understand physical reality. The deal, driven by a need for tighter collaboration between model research, systems, and compute, will place World Labs founder Fei‑Fei Li as AMD’s executive vice president and chief scientist. AMD says the acquisition will inform its chip roadmap and help it compete with Nvidia in AI‑specific hardware, while World Labs’ “world model” technology could power robotics and simulation [...]

A viral X post claimed Windows 11 secretly stores thumbnails of every deleted photo in thumbcache_256.db, sparking user concern. The claim is exaggerated: Windows uses a global thumbnail cache to speed preview generation, similar to macOS, Linux, and Android. Deleted images are not automatically cached unless viewed in Explorer’s thumbnail view. Users can clear the cache via Disk Cleanup or disable caching on Pro and higher editions through Group Policy. The article debunks the myth and explains [...]

SpaceX’s Starship Flight 14 achieved orbit after a brief engine failure, with a single Raptor engine firing a 19‑second burn to reach 170 miles altitude. Mission control initially opted against orbit, but a subsequent poll reversed the decision, meeting the company’s contingency rule that required sufficient backup for deorbit. The vehicle deployed 26 Starlink V3 satellites, adding about 26 Tbps of capacity, and landed safely in the North Pacific. The launch shortened the planned duration and moved splashdown from [...]

Gecko Robotics has integrated NVIDIA’s Open Agent Safety Platform—comprising the open‑source OpenShell and the Sentry watchdog—into its inspection robots. The platform enforces policy boundaries, traces agent actions, and can quarantine agents that deviate from approved behavior. By applying these safeguards, Gecko aims to keep AI‑driven robots within human‑defined permissions while advancing autonomous inspection capabilities across diverse environments. The collaboration follows recent AI security incidents and underscores a broader industry push for traceability and accountability. [...]

At Quantum World Congress 2026, the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) led a delegation of Korean quantum deep‑tech startups—OptiQ‑Labs, Bright Quantum, and xDots—to secure strategic partnerships with D‑Wave, Microsoft, and Japan’s AIST. The Global Bridge Program, co‑managed with the U.S. Embassy, facilitated access to advanced quantum infrastructure and enterprise collaboration. OptiQ‑Labs announced plans to open a U.S. East Coast office, becoming the first Deeptech Incubator Project startup to establish a regional presence. KIST emphasized converting [...]

Apple released security updates for older iOS, iPadOS, and macOS versions to fix CVE‑2026‑86950, an out‑of‑bounds write in CoreGraphics that could allow arbitrary code execution via malicious files. The patch adds bounds checking and was prompted by a report from Meta Product Security. Apple acknowledged the flaw might have been exploited in sophisticated, targeted attacks against specific individuals on pre‑iOS 27 devices, though it did not disclose victim numbers or success rates. The update covers affected devices and [...]

At Macworld 2007, Steve Jobs demonstrated the iPhone’s first unlock gesture, drawing a stunned crowd that applauded the seamless integration of hardware and software. The event highlighted Apple’s shift toward devices where software is an intrinsic part of the hardware experience, rather than an add‑on. The presentation also hinted at future innovations, such as the iPhone Duo, which promises a human‑interface that blends realistic skeuomorphism with digital authenticity. This moment marked the beginning of Apple’s post‑Ive era, [...]