TechCapsules

Pop‑culture retailer Zavvi entered administration, with its affairs now under joint administrators. The company announced it would cease trading immediately, halting all order fulfilment and pre‑orders. Customers who have paid for goods that have not been received are advised to contact their bank or payment provider to determine eligibility for a refund. The site is effectively closed, and no new purchases can be made. The administration process will determine how outstanding payments are handled.

Google has added its Pixel 9 series to the Certified Refurbished program, offering the Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL at $499, down from the original $799 launch price. The 2024 models feature the new design language, upgraded Tensor chipset, and improved camera sensors, with the Pro variants available in 6.3‑inch and 6.8‑inch sizes. Purchases include a 6‑month Google AI Plus trial with 2 TB storage, a one‑year warranty, and authentic parts. The base Pixel 9 is currently out

The Folio Society has released a deluxe hardcover edition of Anthony Bourdain’s memoir Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly. The edition features a custom cover, slipcase, and endpapers designed by Kishan Rajani, with Jake Chessum’s photography and Bourdain’s handwritten food list. It includes 12 rare photos by Chessum, gilded edges, a blocked cloth binding, and a new expressionist portrait by artist Paul Pope. The book sells for £85 ($130) and launches October 13.

Callina Liang, portraying Chun‑Li in the live‑action Street Fighter film, revealed her rigorous preparation: consuming 12 eggs daily, eating every two hours, and studying every Chun‑Li move from the game. She noted her thighs grew over 6.5 cm in months to match the character’s physique. Liang emphasized her motivation to honor fans of the iconic video‑game icon. Director Jon Valera also researched each character’s signature style to preserve authenticity. The movie releases in cinemas on October 16. [...]

Apple will unveil a refreshed Apple TV 4K at its “Welcome Home” event on October 13, the first update since 2022. The new model is expected to feature the A19 chip, offering a performance boost over the A15, and a built‑in microphone that enables full voice control of Siri AI. Additional upgrades include the N1 wireless chip for better AirDrop reliability and potential HomeKit integration. The announcement follows Apple’s focus on expanding its smart‑home ecosystem.

Infinity Ward announced that the extraction shooter mode DMZ for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 will launch on 20 October for digital pre‑orders, three days before the campaign unlocks on 16 October and the full multiplayer release on 23 October. The early DMZ drop is a first for a multiplayer mode, aiming to build hype and give players early progression and map knowledge. A Reddit Q&A clarified that a previously shown “Single Squad” playlist is a developer‑only test, not [...]

The United Arab Emirates unveiled a half‑scale model of its lander for the Emirates Mission to the Asteroid Belt (EMA), slated to launch in March 2028 from Japan. The autonomous probe will accompany the MBR Explorer, named after Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al‑Maktoum, and conduct flybys of six asteroids before orbiting and landing on the crimson 269 Justitia. The mission, designed by the Technology Innovation Institute, will use gravity assists from Venus, Earth, and Mars to travel roughly [...]

Google released the Fitbit Edge, a $179.99 tracker with a 46% larger AMOLED screen, Gorilla Glass 3 protection, and a 40% more precise GPS than the Charge 6. The 11.5 mm aluminum body houses an altimeter, ECG, SpO₂, and temperature sensors. It offers a 5‑minute quick charge for a day, a full charge in 90 minutes, and up to a week of battery life with the display off. The Edge supports Android and iOS, integrates Google Maps navigation, and [...]