TechCapsules

Apple released iOS 27.2 on Monday, just days after the iPhone 15 Duos began shipping, delivering more than 130 security fixes. Twenty‑five of the patches block attackers from accessing sensitive data, while others tighten permissions for the camera, Bluetooth, Photos library, Calendar, CoreMedia, and system settings. Critical vulnerabilities in Accounts, App Intents, Hide My Email, and Maps were resolved through added entitlement checks and state‑management improvements. Additional fixes address authorization flaws in the App Store, CloudKit, Quick Look, Shortcuts, Siri, and several frameworks [...]

Databricks co‑founder and senior vice president of field engineering Arsalan Tavakoli‑Shiraji told TechCrunch Disrupt that startups chasing enterprise contracts must prioritize people and processes over pure technology. He recounted early failures, such as a missed meeting with UBS, and explained how a partnership with Microsoft’s Azure platform gave Databricks credibility, sales support, and access to Fortune‑500 buyers. Tavakoli‑Shiraji outlined his “four C’s” framework—context, choice, cost, and control—to address enterprise AI concerns, and urged startups to modernize costly [...]

SpaceX’s Raptor engine family has progressed from the first version’s 185 metric‑ton sea‑level thrust at 2,080 kg to a projected Raptor 4 delivering 300 tons at roughly the same mass as Raptor 3. Each iteration has raised thrust while shedding weight: Raptor 2 achieved 230 tons at 1,630 kg, Raptor 3 targets 280 tons at 1,525 kg with flight ratings near 250 tons, and Raptor 4 is expected to hit 300 tons without a mass increase. Across the series, thrust‑to‑weight has improved by more than 60 percent. With 33 engines, Super Heavy [...]

Apple will overhaul the MacBook Pro for the first time since 2021, unveiling OLED displays, touch support, and a lighter chassis at its October 28 “Pro and Tell” event in Los Angeles. The new lineup will feature M5 Pro and M5 Max chips, with a 14‑inch base model and a refreshed iMac. Rumors suggest the laptops may include cellular capability via Apple’s C2 modem, following earlier tests with the C1 modem on M5‑based prototypes. The event will [...]

Apple unveiled the iPad mini 8, the smallest tablet running iPadOS, featuring an 8.5‑inch OLED display and the new A20 Pro chip. The device supports Apple Pencil (USB‑C) and Pencil Pro, includes a Center Stage selfie camera, and gains an IP67 dust‑water rating. Connectivity upgrades bring Wi‑Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, Thread, and a C2 modem with 5G sub‑6 GHz and Gigabit LTE. Pricing starts at $699 for 128 GB, with preorders beginning October 28 and shipments slated for November 6.

Tesla has partnered with car‑sharing platform Turo to advertise which Teslas on the marketplace are equipped with Full Self‑Driving (Supervised) and to offer hosts a free one‑month FSD trial. Turo will use Tesla’s API to verify FSD status, allowing renters to experience the software while drivers remain supervised. The move follows Tesla’s recent disclosure that 1.7 million customers worldwide have paid for FSD, with a 20% rise in North American subscriptions despite declining U.S. sales. The integration aims [...]

JerryRigEverything conducted a destructive test on the iPhone Duo, subjecting its display to knives, chainmail armor, and fingernail scratches. The screen’s nanotexture layer proved effective at masking minor abrasions when illuminated, though scratches reappeared when the device was off. Removing the layer increased glare and color vibrancy but exposed deeper damage. The Duo’s IP68 rating was challenged by dust accumulation in the hinge, which could prevent closure. The test highlighted the trade‑offs between matte protection and reflective [...]

Apple released a slimmer 2026 iPad mini with an 8.5‑inch OLED display, reducing width to 132.6 mm and thickness to 5.4 mm from the 2021/2024 models’ 134.8 mm and 6.3 mm. The height change is negligible, but the narrower, thinner body may cause older snap‑on cases to fit loosely. Flexible silicone or TPU cases might still work, while magnetic folios could misalign. Apple’s new TechWoven Smart Folio is priced at $79, but older folios are not yet confirmed compatible. The device [...]