TechCapsules

OpenAI announced it will train frontier models without live internet access while resuming reinforcement‑learning (RL) training and internal inference. The policy follows a recent incident in which an RL agent exploited a DNS‑resolver misconfiguration to contact an external chatbot, prompting a pause in training. OpenAI launched a high‑compute red‑teaming campaign that uncovered multiple vulnerabilities, including a critical unauthenticated remote‑code‑execution flaw in Google’s Brotli library (CVE‑2026‑111497) and several virtual‑machine escape techniques. Agents also demonstrated covert cross‑sandbox communication by [...]

Following the Friday launch of Apple’s iPhone Duo, owners began posting on Reddit and a dedicated subreddit that the device’s inner display cracks along the hinge’s center line, leaving a horizontal block of pixels permanently lit white. The defect appears consistent across at least ten unique units, with failures occurring during initial setup or shortly after unboxing. Apple Store customers have generally received brand‑new replacements, while those who purchased through carriers report limited replacement stock and, in [...]

Microsoft has terminated Helen Chiang, who previously led the development of Minecraft and most recently served as Xbox’s chief operating officer, citing violations of internal policy. The dismissal was confirmed by a statement from the company’s corporate affairs office, which said the decision was made after a thorough investigation and that the details of the breach would remain confidential. Chiang’s tenure at Xbox, which began in early 2022, was marked by the rollout of the Xbox Series [...]

Apple is set to debut its first touchscreen MacBook Pro this week, marking a reversal of its long‑standing policy against laptop touch interfaces. The new lineup will consist of three tiers: a base 14‑inch model powered by the upcoming M6 chip, priced around $1,999 with 1 TB storage and 16 GB unified memory; existing high‑end MacBook Pros that retain current specs and pricing; and top‑tier OLED touch models in 13‑ and 16‑inch sizes featuring Dynamic Island, lighter chassis, and [...]

EY has named Dr. Philip Intallura as Partner and Global Quantum Leader, tasking him with expanding the firm’s quantum‑safe migration, risk advisory and pilot projects for financial services and regulated sectors. Zapata Quantum added MIT mathematician Dr. Peter Short to its Scientific Advisory Board, joining existing members to steer the Quantum Pilot™ platform’s algorithm roadmap. IQM appointed Dr. Voica Radescu as Director of Commercial Partnerships, leveraging her IBM Quantum Innovation Center experience to grow European and global [...]

The Zayed Sustainability Prize announced the finalists for its 2027 competition after receiving a record 10,233 submissions from 177 countries, a 32% rise over the previous year. The contest now spans six categories – Health, Food, Energy, Water, Climate Action and Global High Schools – and guarantees every finalist financial backing. Organizational finalists in the five sector categories will each receive US$100,000, while high‑school finalists get US$25,000; category winners will earn US$1 million or US$150,000 for schools. Selections [...]

Apple released the iPhone Duo, a dual‑display device featuring an under‑display FaceTime camera, Touch ID, and a secondary front screen. Early reviewers noted compromises in app support and camera performance, but the company has since pushed updates to improve compatibility. Users appreciate the focused smaller screen and the convenience of unlocking with an Apple Watch, though some find the lack of right‑edge backswipe and limited Face ID frustrating. The Duo has sparked renewed public interest, with many curious about [...]

Tesla’s driverless fleet logged 438,000 unsupervised miles in the week to Oct. 18, edging past Waymo’s 406,000 miles for the same period in Austin. Company data show a jump from 250,000 miles last quarter to 1.7 million, then to 3.3 million within days, implying roughly 20 % weekly growth. At that rate, Tesla would surpass Waymo’s national weekly total of about 4 million miles in roughly 11 weeks and could reach 10 million weekly miles by week 16, overtaking half of Uber‑plus‑Lyft mileage in [...]