TechCapsules

Microsoft announced a new Surface Mouse, its first standalone Surface accessory in a decade, at the Snapdragon Summit. The black model features a soft‑touch finish, near‑silent clickers, a built‑in vibration motor for haptic feedback on Windows actions, and an extra programmable action button. Priced at $79.99, it launches on October 13 and follows the 2025 Surface Arc Mouse and 2018 Surface Precision Mouse. The haptics make it the second mouse with such a feature after Logitech’s MX [...]

Apple’s new M6 Mac mini is now discounted on Amazon, with the base 16‑GB/256‑GB model priced at $879.99, a $20 markdown from MSRP and the lowest 2026 price. The 12‑core M6 chip powers the unit, and additional configurations—16‑GB/512‑GB at $1,069.99 and 24‑GB/512‑GB at $1,269.99—are also discounted by $30. Shipping for the higher‑memory model is delayed to mid‑late October 2026. The launch follows the M5 Pro release, expanding Apple’s compact desktop lineup.

Qunnect released a white paper detailing three quantum‑based security applications—Quantum Position Verification, Quantum Factor Authentication, and Quantum Channel Protection—built on its Carina hardware. The company is collaborating with U.S. agencies such as DARPA, In‑Q‑Tel, the Air Force Research Laboratory, NIST, and the Department of Energy to advance these technologies. The research emphasizes using entanglement for physical verification of location, identity, and connection integrity, aiming to safeguard critical communications against quantum and AI‑enabled threats. [...]

Meta is preparing to unveil new XR products at Meta Connect 2026, following Valve’s Steam Frame reveal. Rumors point to a “Phoenix” headset focused on passive entertainment rather than gaming, alongside potential smart glasses and extensive AI discussions. The company may keep the current Meta Quest 3 lineup unchanged, avoiding a next‑generation release to sidestep price hikes. The keynote will stream on Meta’s website and Facebook at 4 pm PDT / 7 pm EDT on September 29, with live updates [...]

Google Maps has introduced a new Android Auto update that displays a pop‑up indicator for upcoming traffic lights and stop signs at each turn. The feature, which has been available on the phone for six years, now shows real‑time intersection information alongside the street name. The update also appears on iPhone CarPlay, offering drivers a glanceable cue about intersection control. The change is likely a server‑side tweak aimed at improving navigation clarity.

Apple’s macOS 27 Golden Gate automatically installs a large AI model, making Apple Intelligence mandatory on all Macs. The model can occupy up to 14 GB on M3‑or‑newer Macs with 12 GB RAM, and up to 8 GB on older machines, yet real‑world tests show much higher usage: 22.42 GB on an M3 MacBook Air, 20.67 GB on an M4 Pro Mac mini, and over 30 GB on some devices. Apple’s support documents do not explain the discrepancy or why models below the [...]

Sean Endicott, a seasoned News Writer at Windows Central, specializes in Windows 11, Surface hardware, Microsoft 365, AI, and the broader Windows ecosystem. With over a thousand articles since 2017, he covers breaking news, analysis, and feature stories, and hosts the weekly Windows Wrap column that curates key industry developments. Endicott holds a First Class Broadcast Journalism degree from Nottingham Trent University and brings experience from live production and media. Outside tech, he coaches youth American football [...]

iPadOS 27 introduces a suite of refinements aimed at boosting productivity and customization. The update enhances multitasking with smoother window resizing, persistent window positions on external displays, visible app names, and a toggleable menu bar for a desktop‑like feel. Home screen customization now includes larger widgets and an undo/redo function for layout changes. The Files app gains faster external drive transfers—up to five times quicker—and natural‑language search. Automation expands to trigger on keyboard connection and preset multitasking [...]