TechCapsules

Withings, the French maker of smart health devices, announced that starting October 13, 2026 new customers must purchase a $99.99 annual Withings+ subscription to sync weight data from its scales to Apple’s native Health app. The paywall applies only to accounts created after that date; existing users retain free Apple Health integration. Withings’ scales, which can measure over 60 biomarkers and feature built‑in electrodes and rechargeable batteries, have previously emphasized seamless data sharing through both the Withings app and [...]

Amazon’s devices chief Panos Panay told startup founders at TechCrunch Disrupt that failure is a required step in building successful products. Drawing on his 19‑year tenure at Microsoft, Panay recounted the costly launch of the Surface RT, which triggered a nearly $1 billion write‑down and earned him a front‑page “failure” headline. He argued that leaders must not only accept failure but actively seek it to push boundaries and harvest lessons. Panay emphasized dissecting root causes—software gaps, inventory missteps, retail [...]

Elon Musk announced that SpaceX will reimburse users if Grok Bot, the AI assistant integrated into Tesla vehicles and the X platform, mishandles a purchase or exposes credit‑card data, a promise that extends beyond SpaceXAI’s existing consumer terms. Hours later Musk responded to users after Amazon blocked Grok Bot from placing orders, citing Amazon’s “unauthorized AI agent” policy. He urged users to shop elsewhere and hinted at launching a competing X‑based marketplace. The Amazon restriction had been in place [...]

Samsung has rolled out its Android 17‑based One UI 9 update to eight additional Galaxy devices, expanding the yearly OS upgrade beyond the initial dozen. The new batch includes the 2023 Galaxy S23 and Galaxy Z Fold 5, plus several Galaxy A series models. Updates first appear in South Korea, with broader regional releases expected within a day or two. The rollout continues Samsung’s pattern of staggered updates, ensuring newer hardware receives the latest security and feature enhancements.

ZEISS Semiconductor Manufacturing Technology (SMT) has broadened its portfolio beyond lithography optics to include advanced packaging process control. The company now offers wafer‑by‑wafer bow correction with its DUNE system, inline X‑ray inspection via NLX, and a 300 mm FIB‑SEM platform, Intuitive 3D. These tools address critical issues in hybrid bonding, through‑silicon vias, and 3D NAND analysis. ZEISS also expands its mask‑related suite, aiming to extend mask lifetimes and support larger EUV formats. The expansion positions ZEISS as a comprehensive [...]

BYD Malaysia has chosen Inokom Corporation Sdn. Bhd., a Sime Motors subsidiary, to assemble its electric vehicles locally in Kulim, Kedah. The partnership, formalized by a Memorandum of Understanding signed in Shenzhen, China, enables BYD to produce completely knocked‑down kits within Malaysia, meeting national manufacturing mandates. Inokom’s established assembly plant and skilled workforce provide a ready platform for BYD’s Atto 3, Dolphin, Seal, Sealion 7, and M6 models. The move supports Malaysia’s 2030 EV penetration target and strengthens the [...]

Gears of War launched as the second‑biggest Xbox title of the year, topping global charts and receiving strong reviews. The Coalition announced Ranked Versus on E‑Day, offering four playlists—Demolition, Crucible, Conquest, and Team Deathmatch—where players can climb ranks for exclusive rewards. A simultaneous patch fixed placement‑match mis‑rankings, improved stability, memory usage, account linking, anti‑cheat, and color‑blind settings, and corrected campaign tracking and weapon‑mod glitches. The update also addressed missing collectibles and in‑game rewards. [...]

Summer Eternal, the studio behind Disco Elysium, announced a new physics‑driven RPG titled Red Rooster for the PS5. The game follows Redrick Roost, a white‑collar inmate turned arson investigator, who teams with a dependent mathematician to uncover a series of fires linked to his brother, the city’s fire chief. Set in the fractalized archipelago of Arta‑Tantor, the narrative blends political alternate history with science‑fiction elements. The title will launch first on PC, with a console release to follow; no [...]