TechCapsules

Halo: Campaign Evolved, the 2026 remake of the original 2001 shooter, arrives as Xbox’s second attempt to revive the franchise after Bungie’s departure. While the polished update satisfies nostalgia, it does little to address the series’ deeper design stagnation that has plagued Halo 4, 5 and Infinite. Xbox’s recent restructuring places Activision in charge of future Halo development, relegating veteran 343 Studios to a support role and prompting further layoffs. Rumors suggest Activision may reboot the series, potentially shifting [...]

Apple’s iPhone Duo, the company’s first foldable smartphone, expands to a display 50 % larger than the iPhone 18 Pro Max when opened. The reviewer tested three personal concerns—MagSafe compatibility, Face ID reliability, and software adaptation—and found each largely addressed. MagSafe accessories work when the device is closed, and new, slimmer wallets and battery packs are already emerging to fit the Duo’s compact form. Face ID functions without noticeable delay, and the software introduces a versatile StandBy mode, live‑animation weather widgets, a modular [...]

Finnish startup Donut Lab has confirmed its solid‑state EV battery can retain 99 % of capacity at –30 °C, as reported by VTT Technical Research Centre. The battery, unveiled at CES, claims 400 Wh/kg energy density and a five‑minute full charge. VTT’s independent tests also validated performance at 100 °C, challenging doubts about the chemistry. Donut Lab’s data shows no capacity loss after prolonged exposure to extreme cold, suggesting built‑in thermal resilience without external systems.

Xbox’s first chief operating officer, Helen Chiang, departed after only three months, CEO Asha Sharma announced in an internal memo verified by The Verge. Chiang, a 21‑year Xbox veteran who previously led the Minecraft franchise, was promoted to the newly created COO role in July 2026 to oversee end‑to‑end P&L for content, hardware, platform and services amid a major restructuring. Sharma’s statement thanked Chiang and promised further leadership updates as plans finalize. The brief tenure follows a summer overhaul that [...]

The episode reviews Apple’s inaugural iPhone Duo, marking the company’s entry into the foldable smartphone market after a seven‑year delay. Hosts Abner, Damien, and Will analyze the device’s design, performance, and how it compares to existing Android foldables. They highlight the Duo’s shortcomings, such as limited software optimization and high price, and discuss lessons Android manufacturers can draw. The discussion underscores Apple’s late move and the broader implications for the competitive foldable landscape. [...]

Apple is facing a regulatory requirement to allow alternative app stores on iPhones sold in Australia, a development discussed on the latest 9to5Mac Daily podcast. The episode also examined four design advantages that a forthcoming MacBook Pro redesign could offer over the current generation, including improved thermal management, a slimmer chassis, upgraded display technology, and enhanced port selection. Additionally, Apple highlighted strong developer enthusiasm for its upcoming iPhone Duo feature, noting that app creators are rapidly adapting [...]

Google updated its privacy policy on October 16, 2026 to clarify that enabling personalized AI features in Search or Gemini can allow the company to serve targeted ads based on data from other Google services such as Gmail, Drive, and Photos. The policy states that ads are not personalized by default, but if users opt to share content through the Personal Intelligence feature, that data may inform ad targeting. Users can opt out by disconnecting apps or disabling personalized [...]

On October 23, 2026, Apple Music’s web portal revealed a hidden, fully functional virtual iPod on its 404 error page, timed to the 25th anniversary of Steve Jobs’s original iPod announcement. Users who long‑press or right‑click the URL https://music.apple.com/404 and select “Open” in a browser are presented with an interactive replica that mimics the classic click‑wheel interface, complete with scrolling, selection sounds and a progress bar for up to roughly 1,000 tracks. The Easter egg, discovered by blogger Edward Munn, [...]