TechCapsules

Google has released Android 17 QPR2 Beta 6.1, now available for the Pixel 11 series and a broad range of other Pixel devices, including the Pixel 6a, 7, 7 Pro, 7a, Tablet, Fold, 8, 8 Pro, 8a, 9, 9 Pro, 9 Pro XL, 9 Pro Fold, 9a, 10, 10 Pro, 10 Pro XL, 10 Pro Fold, 10a, 11, 11 Pro, 11 Pro XL, and 11 Pro Fold, as well as the Android Emulator. The update does not [...]

In the medieval vampire RPG The Blood of Dawnwalker, developers confirmed that the protagonist’s human form is intentionally weaker than the vampire form, mirroring werewolf tropes. Game director Konrad Tomaszkiewicz explained that day‑time play offers witchcraft abilities to offset the human’s lack of combat power, while night‑time play grants stronger claws, self‑healing, and a regenerative health bar. The design ensures the game remains finishable in either form, with distinct challenges and narrative paths tied to the day‑night [...]

China’s securities regulator announced new IPO criteria for humanoid robot startups, requiring sustainable revenue, narrowing losses, a three‑year forecast, and ownership of core technologies such as robotic brains and hands. The move aims to temper the rapid surge of listings in the sector amid market volatility. At least two dozen AI‑robot firms have applied for Hong Kong IPOs, but the higher bar may leave only a few, or none, meeting the standards. The policy follows informal “window [...]

Omdia’s Public Displays Market Tracker reports that global public display and signage TV shipments reached 1.73 million units in 2Q26, up from 1.61 million the previous quarter. IFP/touch displays drove growth, rising 13.7% QoQ and 0.7% YoY, with North America leading at 68.0% and Latin America at 13.3%. Indonesia’s planned rollout of interactive panels in schools is expected to boost shipments to 250,000 in 3Q26 and 330,000 in 4Q26, driving a 46.0% YoY increase for Asia & Oceania. Competition [...]

Microsoft unveiled new Fabric and Azure Database features at its European Fabric + SQL Community Conference in Barcelona, emphasizing the integration of unique business context into AI tools. The launch includes Fabric IQ, which embeds governed Power BI semantic models into Microsoft Copilot Chat and Cowork, enabling accurate, context‑driven answers to business queries. IQ Sharing, now in preview, allows secure cross‑organization sharing of business context while preserving governance. Observability enhancements provide real‑time system health insights, supporting scalable [...]

The article discusses how the publishing industry faces rapid AI integration, with a significant stake in the author’s parent company potentially sold to an AI startup. It contrasts two survival strategies: confronting AI by maintaining large-scale editorial control or evading it through independent publishing. The author argues that retreating alone cannot protect writers and translators, advocating instead for a deliberate distance from AI combined with deep engagement in reading, writing, and philosophical inquiry. The piece references Webb [...]

Microsoft has released Windows 11 version 26H2, the 2026 Update, to general availability. The update consolidates all features, security improvements, and enhancements delivered over the past year, including the new Start menu and File Explorer refinements. It is a lightweight enablement package that activates previously rolled‑out features, requiring only a few minutes to download and install. The release resets the support lifecycle, granting 24 months of updates for Home and Pro editions and 36 months for commercial editions. Users [...]

Android 17 QPR2 Beta 6.1 adds message notification support to HiLight on the Pixel 11 Pro, 11 Pro XL, and 11 Pro Fold. After updating, users can enable “Messages from favorites” in Settings > System > HiLight, which highlights incoming messages from selected contacts. The feature currently works with Google Messages and is expected to support WhatsApp once calls are enabled. HiLight blinks twice when a message arrives. The beta includes the September 2026 security patch and [...]