TechCapsules

On the YouTube show The List, Robert Pattinson praised Michael Bay’s Transformers as “the definitive movie of the 2000s,” citing its unique bright, saturated color grading. Pattinson also highlighted Scarface and Braveheart, while promoting his new A24 thriller Primetime, where he portrays a Chris Hansen‑style host. Primetime opened to $19.2 million, ranking third among A24 releases. Pattinson is also filming The Batman Part 2, which he says will diverge sharply from the first film.

Santee Cooper’s latest long‑range plan, filed with state regulators on October 1, 2026, shifts focus from renewable energy to new gas plants and delays coal retirements, citing rising demand from large customers such as data centers. The plan postpones solar investments until 2052, eliminates a 1,500‑MW 2030 target, and pushes the Winyah coal plant retirement to 2034. Analysts note that renewables remain the most cost‑competitive option, while a global gas turbine shortage drives higher costs. The shift has [...]

A Financial Times analysis revealed that Apple has met with EU policymakers 257 times since June 2024 and spends €8‑9 million annually on lobbying in Brussels. The report, sourced from the EU transparency register, ranks Apple second only to Google among U.S. tech firms, with Google holding 302 meetings. Apple’s lobbying outpaces European giants Total, Volkswagen, and Airbus combined, while Meta spends over €10 million. The data underscore American tech companies’ active engagement in shaping European digital policy.

Argonaut Software announced that the remastered version of its 1999 PS1 sequel, Croc 2: Kingdom of the Gobbos, will launch on October 29 for PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, and PC. The update adds enhanced graphics, quality‑of‑life improvements, new moves, and a Croc2pedia museum featuring behind‑the‑scenes content. The release coincides with Croctober, a month‑long celebration of the franchise. The remaster builds on the original’s four villages and introduces new Guardians and over 40 levels. [...]

Samsung has increased the online prices of its Galaxy S26 series, adding $100 to the 256GB and 512GB models of the S26, S26 Plus, and S26 Ultra. The 1TB Ultra configuration received a $200 hike, bringing its price to $1,999. The new starting prices are $999 for the S26, $1,199 for the S26 Plus, and $1,399 for the S26 Ultra. The changes were first noted on Samsung’s website and later appeared on Best Buy; other retailers have yet to adjust.

Gears of War: E‑Day launched for early adopters of the Premium, Premium Upgrade, and Collector’s Editions, but players noted the absence of classic elements such as Meat Shields, Chainsaw Duels, legacy weapons, and online features like private lobbies and leaderboards. The Coalition explained that the new game was built from scratch to unify campaign, PvE, and PvP experiences, making it impossible to include every legacy feature at launch. The studio said these elements may return post‑launch or [...]

Xbox Play Anywhere has expanded to include a record number of titles, with Microsoft announcing 50 new cross‑platform games for the service. The rollout, unveiled at the company’s annual developer conference, adds titles across genres—from shooters to sports—to the existing library of 30 games. The expansion is supported by a new developer portal that simplifies porting, and Microsoft is offering a promotional bundle for early adopters. The move aims to strengthen the Play Anywhere ecosystem and attract [...]

Microsoft’s 2026 Digital Defense Report shows government agencies were the most affected sector, accounting for 27% of cyber activity, up from 17% in 2025. Nation‑state actors target governments for their sensitive data and central network roles. Dwell time has risen, while detection has improved once an intrusion is identified. Phishing now represents 23% of intrusions, up from 7% a year earlier, underscoring compromised identities as a key entry point. The report calls for rapid threat response, AI‑integrated [...]