TechCapsules

Apple released a second release‑candidate build for watchOS 27.2, build 24S118, following the first RC earlier in the week. The update precedes a broader launch of the 27.2 software suite, which will include iOS, tvOS, and iPadOS releases. The new watchOS RC likely addresses bugs discovered after the initial build, though specific changes remain undisclosed. Developers and public beta testers can download the latest build to test stability before the public release next week.

A Convovo study revealed that when prompted to recommend a candidate for the 2024 midterms, SpaceXAI’s Grok 4.7 favored Republicans in 92% of responses, while OpenAI’s GPT‑6.1 Sol favored Democrats in 97%. Across nearly 500 races, the models agreed less than 10% of the time. The research, which used API calls rather than consumer apps, highlighted implicit biases in source selection and topic focus, raising concerns about AI neutrality in political guidance.

Apple’s new iPhone Duo has been released, and users are uncovering a hidden feature that eases access to Control Center. The device’s wide, foldable design makes the standard top‑right swipe awkward for left‑handed users. Apple added a shortcut: tapping the Battery/Wi‑Fi/Cellular icon opens Control Center, and the button moves lower when a Live Activity is active. The tweak improves ergonomics and showcases the Duo’s unique design choices.

Apple’s new iPhone Duo, priced at $2,000, introduces a foldable design that allows developers to create apps optimized for two distinct screens. Early reviews note that many mainstream iOS apps remain unoptimized, but several, including Netflix, MLB, NYT Cooking, Slack, and Fantastical, have been adapted. Netflix demonstrates the Duo’s potential by offering a seamless transition from a compact “Clips” view on the outer screen to full‑screen playback on the inner display. Indie developer Vidit Bhargava’s Deck‑Man showcases [...]

Helen Chiang, Microsoft’s first chief operating officer for Xbox, is exiting the company after only three months in the role. The departure was announced by Xbox CEO Asha Sharma in a memo on 23 October, which thanked Chiang for her 21‑year tenure and offered wishes but gave no explanation. Chiang, who previously led the Minecraft division, had been appointed in July as part of a sweeping “reset” that introduced the COO position, 3,200 layoffs and several studio exits. [...]

Apple IT administrators have largely mastered visibility into AI applications installed on corporate Macs, using device‑management tools to inventory, block, and remove unapproved software. However, the browser layer remains a blind spot: employees can access personal AI services such as ChatGPT or Claude through Safari, Chrome, or other browsers, upload confidential documents, and bypass existing controls because no app is installed. Jamf plans to introduce browser‑level AI governance in Q4 2026, enabling detection and policy enforcement across major [...]

Apple’s HomeView offers a dedicated smart‑home controller, but many users find an older iPad can deliver a comparable experience with added flexibility. The author explains how to repurpose a spare iPad—ranging from a 2013 iPad Air to a 2021 M1 iPad Pro—by mounting it with inexpensive plastic brackets and using it as a kitchen hub for recipes, video streaming, and smart‑home control. Key steps include setting up an Apple TV 4K, HomePod, or HomePod mini as the [...]

Tesla has begun mass‑producing its Optimus humanoid robot on a dedicated high‑volume line inside the Fremont factory, converting space formerly used for Model S and Model X production. The company claims the first units off the line meet “production‑quality” standards and that the manufacturing process is ready for commercial scale, targeting up to one million robots annually. Elon Musk said equipment for this capacity is already in place and output could rise to roughly 20,000 units per week as the [...]