TechCapsules

In mid‑October, looters during French riots in Lille received a notification that the iPhones they stole were disabled, tracked, and would alert authorities. The message, translated into French, warned that the devices were bricked and monitored. The incident highlighted the vulnerability of Apple products to anti‑theft measures during widespread unrest. The event followed other Apple‑related thefts, including a high‑profile hack involving Jared Kushner’s iPhone and a warehouse heist in India.

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.

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 [...]

CUKTECH released a 140W GaN PowerStation that consolidates six charging functions into one compact desktop unit. The device offers a single USB‑C port capable of full 140W output, a built‑in retractable cable, magnetic wireless charging for iPhones, an AirPods pad, and a USB‑A port for legacy accessories. A diagnostic TFT display shows real‑time charging speeds, while the design accommodates multiple Apple devices simultaneously. The unit is priced at $149 and is now available in the U.S. market. [...]

Apple’s latest iPad refresh cycle will extend into early 2027, with the entry‑level iPad, iPad Air, and iPad Pro slated for updates in the first half of the year. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reports that the iPad Pro will switch to the M6 chip and receive vapor‑circuit cooling to curb thermal throttling, while the iPad mini will get a new OLED display. The iPad mini’s 2026 update was the last of the 2026 cycle, leaving the remaining models [...]

Google released the Pixel 11 Pro Fold, a near‑identical successor to last year’s model with a lighter chassis, brighter 3,600‑nit display, improved wireless charging, and a new 48‑MP main sensor. The device weighs 19 g less, is 5 mm thinner when unfolded, and features a glass‑ceramic cover and glass‑fiber composite back for enhanced durability. The foldable retains a visible crease and a single‑handed hinge design, while its camera performance lags behind the Pixel 11 Pro XL.