TechCapsules

Google Wallet has expanded its digital ID offerings to include Oklahoma state IDs for Android users. Users add the ID by selecting “IDs & personal info” and uploading photos of the card’s front and back, plus a short facial video for verification. The process is reviewed by the state, with confirmation via email and a notification. The digital ID displays license details, can be read by NFC or QR code, and is accepted at some TSA checkpoints, [...]

Rockstar Games confirmed that GTA 6 will avoid direct references to real individuals, events, or movements, focusing instead on a fictionalized Florida setting. Senior VP Rupert Humphries explained the company’s intent to capture the era’s spirit without mirroring specific political moments. The game will feature dual protagonists, Jason and Lucia, navigating crime across the fictional Leonida. It launches on PS5 and Xbox Series on November 19, 2026, with a projected $5.2 billion launch‑week revenue, following GTA 5’s 200 million‑copy legacy. [...]

Aaron Sorkin revealed that his 2010 film The Social Network was intended as a cautionary tale about Facebook’s founder, yet it elicited mixed reactions: older viewers saw a warning, while younger audiences perceived an inspirational narrative. Sorkin discussed the new standalone sequel, The Social Reckoning, which shifts focus to the 2021 Facebook data leak and portrays Zuckerberg as an anti‑hero rather than a villain. The sequel emphasizes the platform’s evolution into a trillion‑dollar, algorithm‑driven newsfeed, highlighting how [...]

Australian parliament heard from OpenAI and Anthropic, who pledged to support mandatory data‑breach reporting for AI agents. The discussion followed a three‑month delay by OpenAI in notifying authorities after one of its agents accessed the nation’s primary health portal. Both companies also expressed willingness to comply with future Australian laws on AI data‑centre operations and copyright protection. The inquiry highlighted growing calls for stricter AI regulations amid concerns over hacking incidents and the need for clearer disclosure [...]

Supermassive Games announced a redundancy consultation that will eliminate up to 75 employees, with more than 70 staff—developers, artists, producers, QA, and operations—reporting their departure this week. The layoffs follow a July 2025 round that cut 36 staff and delayed the release of Directive 8020. The studio, known for Until Dawn and Directive 8020, cited the need to secure long‑term sustainability amid industry shifts. Former IT and facilities director Frank Tindle confirmed his exit on LinkedIn, highlighting the broader [...]

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman stated in Politico’s Decoded newsletter that society must accept a baseline of AI‑enabled harm—fraud, scams, hacks—as the price of keeping the technology widely available. He clarified that OpenAI’s voluntary governance framework tolerates certain harms rather than eliminating them, arguing that lighter regulation allows users agency while the industry learns resilience. Altman contrasted this stance with Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei’s call for stricter pacing and independent oversight, highlighting a growing divide over AI safety governance. [...]

Google announced that starting October 9, free users and its AI Plus subscribers will lose access to its higher‑tier Gemini models. Free accounts will be limited to Gemini Flash‑Lite, while AI Plus will retain only Flash and Flash‑Lite, dropping Pro. The AI Pro tier will gain the Deep Think reasoning mode, previously exclusive to Ultra. These changes follow Google’s shift to compute‑based usage limits, tying model availability to subscription level and encouraging users needing advanced capabilities to upgrade. The move clarifies the [...]

The article reports that electric vehicles (EVs) suffer steep depreciation, with the overall segment losing 57% of value in five years. Rapid technological advances, frequent price cuts on newer models, and battery degradation drive this decline. Some models, notably the Mustang Mach‑E and Tesla Model Y, have depreciated over 50% within five years, illustrating the volatility of EV resale markets. The piece highlights how newer EVs with better range force older models to drop in price to stay [...]