TechCapsules

Instagram has begun testing a new long‑form horizontal video format called Features, allowing creators to upload up to 90‑minute videos. The pilot targets podcasters, comedians, and other long‑form content producers, with a link‑back system that lets short Reels lead viewers to full episodes. The feature is currently available to select U.S. creators after initial trials in Brazil and will be promoted on Explore and other app sections. Instagram aims to monetize this format through brand partnerships and [...]

Apple released visionOS 27.2, a minor update focused on bug fixes and small OS changes rather than new features. The update skips the 27.1 version, which was reserved for iPhone Duo, and includes expanded Siri AI language support in French, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, and Spanish. EU users will see an annual App Tracking Transparency prompt. The Vision Pro hardware remains unchanged, and users can install the update automatically or manually via Settings → General → Software Update.

Instagram has introduced “Features,” a new long‑form, horizontal video format aimed at rivaling YouTube. The launch, announced by head Adam Mosseri and VP Tessa Lyons, positions Features as an extension of Reels, allowing creators to build audiences with short clips before delivering longer content. Initially available only in the U.S., the platform will honor existing creator ad deals but offers no ad‑sharing program comparable to YouTube’s. The move reflects Instagram’s push to diversify content while addressing creator [...]

Apple has released iOS 27.2, the first major update to the iOS 27 platform, making it available to all compatible iPhone models, including the fold‑able iPhone Duo. The rollout skips the previously announced iOS 27.1, which was used internally for the Duo’s dual‑screen hardware. iOS 27.2 (build 24B119 for standard iPhones and 24B91020 for the Duo) adds FaceTime Dual Capture, letting users stream from both front and rear cameras simultaneously, and updates the Apple Music icon to a monochrome design. The Apple TV app now [...]

Google released a new metal mesh band for the Fitbit Air, offering a more robust alternative to existing fabric straps. The band attaches via a molded cutout and a metal loop, featuring a stiff clasp that loosens after initial use. Available in Champagne Gold and Polished Silver, it promises a fabric‑like feel and secure fit, and is priced at $69.99. The design aims to improve comfort and versatility for the screenless tracker, which has had limited band [...]

Ahead of Election Day, iPhone users are being bombarded with political fundraising texts that appear in the standard Messages app. Apple’s iOS 26 includes a “Screen Unknown Senders” feature that automatically diverts messages from numbers not saved in the user’s contacts into a separate folder and mutes their alerts, while still delivering the content. The setting is disabled by default unless the older “Filter Unknown Senders” option was previously turned on, meaning many devices continue to display campaign [...]

Anthropic’s S‑1 filing shows the AI firm is building a cross‑product ecosystem that mirrors the stickiness strategies of Amazon and Uber. As of September 30, more than half of customers spending at least $100 k annually now use both the Claude platform and a first‑party app such as Claude Code or Cowork, up from roughly 30 % a year earlier. The company reports over 11,900 enterprise customers at the $100 k level, 1,900 at $1 million, and about 250 exceeding $10 million in annual [...]

Apple announced an all‑new iPad mini at its October 2026 event, featuring a first‑generation OLED display, a slimmer chassis, and upgraded internals including a faster A‑series chip, expanded storage options, and support for the second‑generation Apple Pencil. The device retains the 8.3‑inch form factor but reduces bezel size and overall thickness, aiming to revive interest in the compact tablet segment. Alongside the iPad mini reveal, Apple hinted at an “exciting week” of additional product launches, while a [...]