TechCapsules

Apple released an update for its iWork suite—Pages, Keynote and Numbers—on Thursday, adding iPhone Duo support ahead of its October 23 launch and introducing a new open Interchange Format (.keyx) to simplify Keynote editing in third‑party apps. The primary focus is Apple Intelligence features, available only to subscribers of the Apple Creator Studio bundle. Each app now includes a beta Intelligent Assistant, which requires a device set to US English and iOS 27 or later; the assistant [...]

Fort Bend County commissioners unanimously approved a suite of tax incentives for Tesla’s proposed $10.1 billion solar‑cell factory, known internally as “Project Crystal Sun,” near Needville, Texas. The package includes a property‑tax abatement within Reinvestment Zone 34, a Chapter 381 economic‑development agreement, a foreign‑trade‑zone non‑objection with payments in lieu of certain taxes, and a “true‑up” payment agreement. The 3,000‑acre site would produce ingots, wafers, cells and finished modules, creating 9,712 permanent jobs by 2033 and aiming for commercial operation in [...]

Former Windows chief Steven Sinofsky mocked Windows 8’s touch‑screen laptops on X, questioning Apple’s rumored OLED MacBook Pro that may debut a touch display at its October 28 “Pro and Tell” event. Apple has long rejected touch screens for MacBooks, citing arm fatigue, yet the company is reportedly close to unveiling a vertical‑screen model. The move would position Apple as a late entrant to a market Microsoft pioneered in 2012 with Surface devices.

Sparrow Quantum has named founder Peter Lodahl CEO, replacing Kurt Stokbro who will stay on as executive advisor and board member. The move follows a leadership refresh that added a chief commercial officer, a vice president of finance, and a chief technology & operations officer. The company will now concentrate on integrating its photonic quantum chip technology into fault‑tolerant computing systems, while a new Scientific Advisory Board guides its technical roadmap. Lodahl’s expertise positions him to steer [...]

Apple’s flagship Fifth Avenue store in New York has begun preparing for the Friday launch of the iPhone Duo, installing several large rectangular structures near the glass cube entrance. The installations, still covered in black cloth and white protective wrapping, appear to be giant iPhone Duo models, echoing past launch displays such as the iPhone 16 and iPhone 18 Pro. While no lines have formed outside the Fifth Avenue location, customers are already queuing at other Apple [...]

Starting with the United States Grand Prix in Austin, Texas, Apple TV will stream Formula 1 races in Dolby Atmos, complementing existing Dolby Vision support. The enhanced audio is available through the Apple TV app on compatible Apple devices when paired with Dolby‑enabled TVs and sound systems. Apple also hosts a weekend event at the Apple Domain Northside retail store, featuring special Today at Apple sessions to showcase the new audio experience. The move expands immersive viewing options [...]

At TechCrunch Disrupt, investors Peak XV, Index Ventures, and Bessemer warned founders that raising a Series A is now the toughest market seen, citing inflated AI valuations and “tranchopalooza” rounds. Shailendra Singh highlighted the need for intellectual honesty, cautioning against cumulative ARR charts. Partners emphasized a compelling founder story, talent acquisition, and sector focus on defense, robotics, and AI infrastructure. They urged founders to avoid rushed deals, maintain high product‑market fit standards, and pitch audaciously yet realistically. [...]

Microsoft is evaluating a new role for the Windows key as it rolls out a redesigned Search UI that will eventually replace the current Start menu search. The new interface, built from scratch, allows users to remove Bing results and includes “Actions” for quick settings changes, such as toggling Bluetooth. Insiders have requested the key to launch this Search and perform actions like sending emails. Microsoft’s Shell team acknowledges the request and plans to revisit key behavior [...]