TechCapsules

Joel Franey earned a Bachelors in Creative Writing and Games Design from Brunel University in 2017, followed by a Masters in Creative and Critical Writing from Sussex University. While studying, he freelanced across gaming roles—design, PR, reviews, and features—before joining USgamer and ReedPop’s guides team in 2019. He has since written for Gfinity Esports, Eurogamer, VG247, Dicebreaker, RPS, Jelly Deals, and GamesRadar+, focusing on single‑player and narrative titles. Franey also publishes fiction, screenplays, and co‑hosts a pop‑culture [...]

Pixel Recorder has released a minor update that allows users to view and manage audio files directly in the Files app or other third‑party apps. The new “Access recordings in other apps” setting is enabled by default and appears on the homepage with a prompt. A dedicated “Recordings” folder now aggregates all locally stored and cloud‑downloaded audio. The update, version 4.2.20260823.x, follows a prior icon refresh and precedes the app’s upcoming availability on Google Books. [...]

Sean Endicott, a seasoned Windows Central journalist, has been covering Microsoft’s software and hardware ecosystem since 2017. He reports on Windows 11 updates, Surface launches, Microsoft 365 changes, and the company’s AI initiatives. Endicott also authors the weekly “Windows Wrap” column, curating the week’s most critical tech stories. Prior to full‑time journalism, he earned a First Class Broadcast Journalism degree and worked in media production. Outside tech, he coaches youth American football in Nottingham, earning the BAFCA [...]

Electro Optic Systems Holdings Ltd (ASX:EOS) signed a letter of intent with the Netherlands Ministry of Defence to advance its Apollo High Energy Laser Weapon. The agreement aims to develop Apollo into a fully operational counter‑drone system for Dutch forces and explores establishing a Dutch production facility backed by a European supply chain. This partnership expands EOS’s international defence portfolio, adding a European dimension to its directed‑energy technology and potentially opening new markets for its counter‑drone and [...]

Apple has introduced its mobile payment service in India, initially partnering with Axis Bank to support eligible Visa and Mastercard cards. Users can add cards to the Wallet app on iPhones, authenticate via Face ID or Touch ID, and tap to pay in stores or online. The service emphasizes end‑to‑end encryption and tokenization for security, and offers features such as transaction history and card management. Apple Pay can be used at merchants that accept contactless payments, but [...]

Tesla secured $30 billion in new credit lines to fund its upcoming Cybercab robotaxi, Optimus robot, and Tesla Semi. Citibank provided a $20 billion three‑year delayed‑draw term loan, while Wells Fargo offered an $8 billion five‑year revolving facility and a $2 billion 364‑day revolving line. Tesla’s filing indicates no draws this year, but the company plans at least $25 billion in 2026 capital expenditures. With $9 billion in debt and over $40 billion in cash, the firm is building dedicated factories for each product. [...]

Rockstar Games confirmed that Grand Terror Auto VI will feature a wide array of side activities, including jet skiing, mini‑golf, billiards, base jumping, kayaking, scuba diving, airboating, gym workouts, zoo visits, and street or off‑road racing. These activities are designed to keep players engaged for the game’s estimated 80‑hour playtime. They also influence the relationship between protagonists Jason and Lucia, with certain choices affecting the broader narrative. The title will launch on November 19, 2026 for PS5 and Xbox Series X|S. [...]

Over a 13‑month period, ZoomInfo’s data tracking from June 2025 to July 2026 identified 10 sales‑department pain points that linked ROI measurement or attribution directly to active AI initiatives. Although the absolute number is small, it signals a widespread issue: sales teams are adopting AI tools faster than they can prove their effectiveness. A Gartner survey of 227 chief sales officers in late 2025 found 31% cited difficulty proving AI ROI as a top challenge for 2026 [...]