TechCapsules

Robert Downey Jr. and Pedro Pascal swapped roles for Halloween, with Downey dressing as Mister Fantastic and Pascal as Doctor Doom, promoting the upcoming film Avengers: Doomsday. The pair posted a video of their costumes and later appeared in public, greeting trick‑or‑treaters and children in Star Wars outfits. The stunt generated buzz on social media, showcasing the actors’ playful engagement ahead of the December 18 release, which also features the final on‑screen appearance of Sir Patrick Stewart. [...]

NASA’s Swift space telescope, launched in 2004 to study gamma‑ray bursts, is set to reenter Earth’s atmosphere uncontrolled after a failed rescue attempt. Its orbit has decayed to 171 miles, and the 3,300‑pound observatory entered safe mode before operations were terminated. Experts predict Swift will largely disintegrate, with only a few dense components potentially reaching the ocean or land. The reentry will occur over a narrow band near the equator, covering parts of Africa, South and Southeast [...]

Apple’s authorized airport dealer iStore is offering a limited-time discount on its third‑generation Apple TV 128GB Ethernet model, priced at $129.99 plus tax. The promotion is available chain‑wide across iStore locations in airports, though availability may vary by terminal. The sale highlights the retailer’s strategy to attract travelers seeking affordable entertainment devices. The discount is notable for its steep reduction from the standard retail price, potentially boosting impulse purchases among commuters.

Hoyoverse announced that its free‑to‑play life‑simulation game Petit Planet will launch on Nintendo Switch 2 in 2027. The title, already available on PC, iOS, and Android since December 4 2026, lets players nurture a personal planet, explore sky islands, and trade in a hub‑style Galactic Bazaar. The update highlighted home‑decor options, mini‑games, and community features, and revealed a pre‑registration campaign and a “Launch a Planet” event on the official site. The game was first unveiled in September 2025 and previewed [...]

On November 1, 1962, the Soviet Union launched Mars 1, its fourth attempt to reach the Red Planet. After separating from its launch vehicle, the probe deployed solar panels and began a cruise toward Mars. Mission control detected a leak in a gas valve that controlled attitude, disabling the spacecraft’s orientation system. Consequently, Mars 1 lost contact roughly halfway to the planet and failed to complete its fly‑by. The mission marked the USSR’s first near‑Mars approach, though it ended in failure. [...]

In October 2026, Microsoft tested a suite of Windows 11 preview features that aim to streamline user experience. The most notable updates include a fully customizable right‑click context menu, a new “Speed test” button in Quick Settings that runs natively without launching a browser, and expanded Start‑menu controls allowing users to select small, large, or automatic layouts. Additional tweaks added phone controls to Quick Settings, improved Windows Hello in low light, enhanced accessibility options, and refined handheld gaming support. [...]

Apple announced it will discontinue all non‑touch MacBook Pro models when the second‑generation touch‑enabled line launches in 2027. The current 14‑inch and 16‑inch Pro models feature PROLED XDR displays and touch screens, priced at $2,899 and $3,399 respectively, while the entry 14‑inch model starts at $1,999 without touch. The 2027 models will use the new M7 Pro and M7 Max chips, emphasizing AI capabilities, and the 14‑inch version will remain touch‑free but lighter.

Everbloom’s new fiber, renoa, blends waste protein from cashmere, wool, down, and feather lint with a biodegradable biopolymer, then extrudes it to mimic natural fibers. The U.S. Federal Trade Commission approved renoa as the first new fiber classification in 25 years, marking a regulatory milestone. The startup has tested the material in garments such as a cashmere‑like sweater, gloves, and a durable scarf that survived tumble drying. Production is scaling, with the first commercial blends expected in [...]