TechCapsules

At an Earth Set event hosted by Octopus Energy in London, analysts Amy Rennison and Michael Barnard warned that many energy‑transition forecasts mistakenly project today’s demand patterns into the future, inflating the scale of low‑carbon replacements needed. They illustrated the flaw with shipping, noting that while current estimates of 2100 liquid‑fuel demand range from 70 million to several hundred million tonnes, the true figure depends on how quickly electrification, steel‑making reforms and short‑sea routes reduce fossil use. Similar assumption gaps appear in [...]

EY has named Dr. Philip Intallura as Partner and Global Quantum Leader, tasking him with expanding the firm’s quantum‑safe migration, risk advisory and pilot projects for financial services and regulated sectors. Zapata Quantum added MIT mathematician Dr. Peter Short to its Scientific Advisory Board, joining existing members to steer the Quantum Pilot™ platform’s algorithm roadmap. IQM appointed Dr. Voica Radescu as Director of Commercial Partnerships, leveraging her IBM Quantum Innovation Center experience to grow European and global [...]

Alex Garland’s live‑action adaptation of FromSoftware’s Elden Ring is reported to have a budget of nearly $200 million, the highest ever for A24. The figure dwarfs the studio’s previous most expensive film, Marty Supreme, which cost $70 million, and places the project alongside blockbuster budgets such as Marvel’s Spider‑Man: No Way Home. Filming wrapped in July 2025, and the movie is slated for a March 3, 2028 release. The cast includes Kit Connor, Cailee Spaeny, Nick Offerman, and Havana Rose Liu. [...]

The Zayed Sustainability Prize announced the finalists for its 2027 competition after receiving a record 10,233 submissions from 177 countries, a 32% rise over the previous year. The contest now spans six categories – Health, Food, Energy, Water, Climate Action and Global High Schools – and guarantees every finalist financial backing. Organizational finalists in the five sector categories will each receive US$100,000, while high‑school finalists get US$25,000; category winners will earn US$1 million or US$150,000 for schools. Selections [...]

Peter Berg, director of the upcoming Call of Duty film, announced that the movie will adapt the Modern Warfare storyline, emphasizing the “cost of war” and the complex humanity of characters like Captain Price, Soap, Ghost, and Alex. Berg and writer Taylor Sheridan will draw on the games’ nuanced narratives, aiming for a “very strong soul” rather than pure action. The film, slated for June 30, 2028, follows the release of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 and joins a wave of high‑profile game adaptations. [...]

The California Workforce Development Board has allocated $5.74 million in Workforce Accelerator Fund (WAF‑14) grants to five education‑industry partnerships aimed at building sub‑doctoral talent pipelines for quantum hardware. More than $4.26 million of the money will fund quantum hardware design, technician certification and regional training programs that pair university research hubs with community colleges and vocational schools. The grants target the “sub‑doctoral technician deficit” identified in California’s State Economic Blueprint, where commercial quantum firms lack skilled workers for tasks [...]

Apple released the iPhone Duo, a dual‑display device featuring an under‑display FaceTime camera, Touch ID, and a secondary front screen. Early reviewers noted compromises in app support and camera performance, but the company has since pushed updates to improve compatibility. Users appreciate the focused smaller screen and the convenience of unlocking with an Apple Watch, though some find the lack of right‑edge backswipe and limited Face ID frustrating. The Duo has sparked renewed public interest, with many curious about [...]

Volkswagen has launched the ID. Unyx 09 in China, the first model produced through its partnership with Chinese EV maker XPeng. The midsize‑to‑large sedan is offered in single‑motor and dual‑motor versions and priced between 179,900 yuan ($26,939) and 249,900 yuan ($37,421). It boasts a CLTC‑rated range of 755 km (469 mi) and is equipped with a 91.963 kWh lithium‑iron‑phosphate battery from CATL, 5C ultra‑fast charging, and a dual‑chamber air suspension. Exterior highlights include a closed grille, slim headlights and DLP matrix [...]