TechCapsules

iFixit released a detailed teardown of the iPhone 18 Pro, revealing the new variable‑aperture camera system, a larger vapor‑chamber cooling architecture, and an under‑display Face ID infrared camera. The review noted a fragile aperture blade that can detach, indicating that a stuck aperture would require replacing the entire camera module. It also documented damage to the plastic frame surrounding the display on three of four units, raising concerns about water resistance and repairability. The device earned a provisional 7‑out‑of‑10 repair [...]

Jez Corden, a long‑time content creator and internet personality, has built a notable presence across X, TheXB2.com, Spotify, and iTunes. He co‑hosts a leading gaming podcast and serves as Executive Editor at Windows Central, where he has spent a decade delivering exclusive news and analytical features on Xbox, Windows, AI, and broader tech topics. Corden’s early web community work in animation and subsequent IT career paved the way for his influential role in tech journalism. [...]

The Amazon MGM Studios series “Reacher” has reached its fourth season, continuing its streamlined action‑drama formula that has earned it a loyal fan base. The show follows drifter Jack Reacher, played by Alan Ritchson, as he delivers vigilante justice across the United States. A new spinoff, “Neagley,” starring Maria Sten as Francis Neagley, expands the Reacherverse and has already begun its first season, mirroring the original’s focus on simple, high‑stakes storytelling. Both series emphasize straightforward plots, minimal [...]

1X Technologies’ home robot NEO, which gained viral attention last year for its clumsy dishwasher‑loading attempt, now features tendon‑driven hands that the company claims lift the “hardware ceiling” on humanoid robots. The updated NEO, slated for consumer release in 2026, will operate autonomously by default, with users able to request a teleoperator for unfamiliar tasks. The company emphasizes that data collection—often through paid video recordings of everyday chores—is essential for training the robot’s AI, mirroring a broader [...]

Apple launched the iPhone Duo, its first folding smartphone, priced at $1,999 for the base model. Analysts predict 10 million units sold in the first year, generating roughly $27 billion in revenue and accounting for about 6 % of Apple’s 2026 earnings. The Duo is expected to capture close to half of the foldable market by 2027, shifting a niche dominated by Android devices toward Apple. The device targets high‑end consumers, leveraging trade‑ins and installment plans to boost adoption.

AI chatbots have begun incorporating video content into their responses, shifting from text‑only answers to richer, multimedia explanations. Starting in 2022, early models offered plausible but often inaccurate guidance, but recent iterations cite sources and provide step‑by‑step instructions. By 2024, search engines like Google feature AI‑generated overviews that are more detailed and assertive, yet still contain errors. The underlying models now analyze video data, allowing chatbots such as ChatGPT and Perplexity to reference visual demonstrations when answering [...]

The UCI Road World Championships 2026 time trials will take place on 20 September in Montreal, featuring a 39‑km course that is the shortest since 2022. Women race from 09:00 to 11:20, men from 12:45 to 15:15. Key favorites include Remco Evenepoel, Filippo Ganna, and Marlen Reusser, with emerging challengers such as Zoe Bäckstedt and Demi Vollering. The flat course ends with a 400‑m climb averaging 6.1% gradient, potentially decisive in tight time gaps. Free live streams [...]

In 2025, China operated about 309,000 plant‑protection drones, delivering roughly 203 million hectare‑treatments, a dramatic rise from 2024’s 178 million. The United States, with a far smaller fleet, logged only about 6.64 million hectare‑treatments. The disparity—roughly thirty‑fold—highlights China’s advanced drone service ecosystem, encompassing maintenance, renewal, and operating standards. Despite similar cultivated land areas, Chinese drones perform far more treatments per hectare, underscoring a mature, high‑volume industry.