TechCapsules

In 2026, two screenless trackers hit the market: the $99 Fitbit Air and the $399 Oura Ring 5. Both devices monitor heart rate, sleep, and calories, but differ in form factor and price. The Fitbit Air offers a lightweight band with a broad feature set at an affordable price, while the Oura Ring 5 claims to be the smallest, lightest smart ring, targeting users who prefer a discreet, ring‑style device. The author has worn both for five months, comparing [...]

At its September Dev Day, OpenAI unveiled a new ChatGPT platform that lets users discover, launch, and interact with third‑party software directly within the chatbot. Developers can build interactive app interfaces that run inside ChatGPT, and the bot can recommend apps during conversations. The company also introduced “Sign in with ChatGPT,” enabling users to carry their ChatGPT identity into partner apps such as Devin, Notion, and Vercel. An enterprise marketplace will feature over 30 partners, including Adobe, [...]

Global shipments of AI glasses rose to 4.2 million units in the first half of 2026, a 127 % year‑on‑year jump reported by Omdia. Meta dominated the market, shipping 3.4 million units and holding an 81.3 % share. New entrants from China, including Even Realities, contributed to growth with alternative frame designs and feature sets. The United States remains the largest market, while mainland China is a key supply‑chain hub and testbed, with shipments up 306 % year‑on‑year. The sector faces intensified [...]

IIT‑Madras is developing an India‑specific AI model, Garbhini‑GA2, to estimate foetal age from ultrasound scans, aiming for deployment in 2027‑28. The model, trained on Indian pregnancy data, has been externally validated at Christian Medical College, Vellore, and Faridabad, showing reduced errors compared with the Western‑based Hadlock formula. Researchers plan to integrate the tool into existing ultrasound systems and pilot it in public hospitals, including Army facilities, while addressing workflow and time‑bandwidth challenges. The initiative is part of [...]

In 2001, Lionhead Studios released Black & White, a sandbox game that let players assume godlike control over creatures and environments, guided by machine‑learning AI. The title built on Peter Molyneux’s Bullfrog legacy of power fantasies, adding moral choices that altered landscapes and character behavior. Key developers included Richard Evans and Demis Hassabis, who later founded DeepMind. The game’s AI enabled creatures to learn and adapt, setting a benchmark for interactive NPCs that remains unmatched in subsequent [...]

A new wave of startups is helping U.S. brands adapt to the rise of AI shoppers, who increasingly rely on chatbots and language models for purchasing decisions. Companies like Limy and New Generation are developing tools that translate product catalogs into structured, AI‑friendly data, allowing algorithms to read and recommend items efficiently. Retailers such as Amazon have begun blocking certain AI agents, yet traffic from AI sources surged 393% in 2026, prompting brands to prioritize AI visibility. [...]

Jagex announced a fourth Runescape MMO, tentatively titled RS4, at RuneFest Birmingham. The new title will run on Unreal Engine and launch in Gielinor’s sixth age, beginning in Ashenfall. The studio emphasized that RS4 is not a replacement for existing titles such as Old School, RuneScape, or Dragonwilds, each of which will continue to receive dedicated teams and roadmaps. Development will involve community input from the outset, with the project slated for several years before release.

Ubisoft Montréal’s new title, March of Giants, was showcased during a day of interviews, where a small, impromptu match revealed the game’s depth. The developer team, led by former Siege veteran Xavier Marquis, highlighted features such as commandable soldiers, strategic battleworks, and 4v4 matches that conclude when two Bastions fall. A spontaneous session with journalists and developers demonstrated the game’s MOBA‑style mechanics, including jungle control, Acolade shop takedowns, and dynamic team composition. The match underscored the title’s [...]