TechCapsules

Community developers have ported Halo: Combat Evolved to multiple platforms, including web browsers, Android, Linux, PS4, PS5, and even the Nintendo 3DS. The ports preserve full multiplayer and campaign modes, with PS users requiring a jailbroken console. New mods and a Halo 3 port for PC are emerging, and a 128‑player mode for Halo CE is in development. AI tools like Claude’s Opus 5.5 and recent decompilation efforts have lowered barriers, enabling rapid expansion of the game’s reach. [...]

Google released Gemini 4 “Argon,” a state‑of‑the‑art AI model, after months of development. The model is currently limited to a trusted cyber‑defender group while undergoing testing, with a broader rollout planned soon. Gemini 4 outperforms its predecessor Gemini 3 Pro and rivals GPT‑6 Astra and Claude Opus 5.5 in benchmarks, offering a 1‑million‑token output limit and enhanced agentic and cybersecurity capabilities. Internal reports suggest coding performance may lag in real‑world use, and pricing will rise to match [...]

At CIO 100 Leadership Live Boston, executives shifted focus from isolated AI tools to continuous enterprise reinvention, emphasizing people, processes, and strategic investment. Panelists highlighted that AI, LLMs, and autonomous systems should serve broader transformation goals rather than standalone productivity boosts. Discussions moved from token‑maximizing rhetoric to disciplined assessment of emerging technologies, with CIOs urged to accelerate learning cycles and treat AI investments like venture portfolios. The event underscored the need for holistic ROI metrics that capture [...]

Apple unveiled the iPhone 18 Pro during its fall 2026 event, skipping a new base model and instead introducing the Pro, Pro Max, and the upcoming iPhone Duo. The 256‑GB black variant features a vapor‑cooled A20 Pro chip, a 48‑MP Fusion main camera, and a 6.3‑inch display identical to the 17 Pro. Design changes include a new Action Button, under‑screen IR camera relocated to the top‑left corner, and a 25‑W MagSafe charging area. The device supports USB‑C, LiDAR, and [...]

ANYbotics announced the launch of Shift, a cloud‑based platform that integrates fleet management, plant mapping, AI analytics, and maintenance workflows for its ANYmal quadruped robots. Shift unifies scheduling, monitoring, and control of inspection fleets, contextualizes sensor data to flag true anomalies, and automatically converts findings into work orders via connectors to CMMS, ERP, and APM systems. The platform promises to reduce unplanned downtime, streamline preventive maintenance, and improve worker safety across energy, metals, mining, and chemicals sectors. [...]

SatLeo Labs, an Ahmedabad‑based startup, is launching its first commercial thermal payload, TAPAS‑1, aboard SpaceX’s Transporter‑18 Falcon 9 from Vandenberg on October 1. The satellite will use thermal infrared sensing to measure land‑surface temperature continuously, day and night, addressing gaps in current high‑resolution, frequent temperature data. TAPAS‑1 is part of SatLeo’s full‑stack commercial thermal intelligence platform, combining hardware, data processing, and AI to deliver actionable insights for agriculture, urban planning, utilities, and insurance. The launch marks India’s [...]

Spotify founder Daniel Ek’s startup Neko Health secured $700 million to develop a consumer body‑scan platform aimed at preventative health. The company competes with rivals such as Midjourney and Function Health, all seeking to embed body scanning into mainstream healthcare. TechCrunch’s Equity podcast features investor Farooq Abbasi discussing Neko’s strategy, funding dynamics, and the broader market potential for body‑scanning technology. The episode highlights investor enthusiasm and the challenges of integrating new diagnostics into existing medical systems. [...]

Meta announced that from 1 October, Indian businesses using the WhatsApp Business Platform will be charged for service replies, a category previously free. Each business phone number receives 1,000 free service messages per month; additional delivered messages cost Rs 0.115 each. The change also applies to utility messages, authentication messages, and marketing messages, all priced at Rs 0.115 (except marketing at Rs 0.8631). Businesses must add a payment method by 30 September or risk losing service‑message capability. The new fee structure affects [...]