TechCapsules

A YouTuber from JerryRigEverything tested the new iPhone Duo’s durability in a series of controlled destruction experiments. The front Ceramic Shield display survived a Mohs‑scale scratch test up to level seven, just below sapphire, while the inner flexible panel scratched at level two, similar to other foldables. The titanium frame was scratched by a knife and singed by a lighter, and heavy dust clogged the hinge after repeated opening. A bend test that forced the large outer [...]

SpaceX has reportedly lifted the restrictions it placed on Starshield, the military‑grade variant of its Starlink broadband service used by Ukraine’s armed forces. Defense Minister Evgeniy Khmara told reporters that the system is now operating normally, though the military continues testing and has not received an official explanation for the prior limitations. The restrictions, which lasted about ten days, caused Ukrainian drones traveling near 100 mph to lose connectivity, leading to loss of control of some unmanned aircraft and [...]

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 [...]