TechCapsules

Tesla’s golden “cybercabs” have appeared on Pittsburgh roadways, though they cannot yet be hailed for service. The driverless taxis, typically lacking steering wheels, are currently operated by a human driver in the seat, classifying them as Level 2 vehicles under Pennsylvania law. PennDOT confirmed Tesla does not require certification for these vehicles, as they are not fully autonomous. The cabs, two‑seat models with butterfly doors, are already active in Texas and Florida and can be summoned via Tesla’s [...]

Apple introduced background customization for Messages during WWDC 2025, enabling iOS 27 and iPadOS 27 users to personalize chat backgrounds. The feature allows selection from preset categories—Photos, Color, Sky, Water, Aurora, Playground—and supports custom images from the photo library. Backgrounds sync across devices running OS 26 or later, but older systems remain unchanged. Users can also disable backgrounds, reverting to the default white bubbles. The update adds visual distinction and a touch of personalization to group and individual chats.

Microsoft offers a one‑time purchase of Office 2024 Professional Plus for Windows at $49.97, down from the $249.99 MSRP, until October 4. The bundle includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote, and Access, each priced under $9 for permanent use. The license is device‑bound via a unique key, eliminating subscription fees and linking to the PC rather than a Microsoft account. The offer targets users upgrading PCs or needing a new license, with instant download and activation after purchase. [...]

Newer keyboards include a Copilot key that launches Microsoft’s AI chatbot by default. Users who prefer other functions can reassign the key via Windows Settings under “Bluetooth & devices > Keyboard” and select “Search” or “Custom.” For more flexibility, Microsoft PowerToys’ Keyboard Manager allows mapping the Copilot key to any application. Users install PowerToys, enable the Keyboard Manager, add a new remapping, press the Copilot key (Shift + Windows + F23), choose “Open App,” and browse to the desired executable. The [...]

Meta unveiled its Meta VR Glasses at the Toronto International Film Festival, positioning the device as a lightweight, controller‑free alternative to bulky headsets. Weighing about 100 g, the glasses feature a detachable “puck” for power and processing, a 5K micro‑OLED display, and gesture‑based navigation. The system supports major streaming services and a partnership with IMAX, enabling full‑frame 1:43:1 viewing. The glasses aim to attract casual users by blending immersive cinema with everyday wearability.

Meta unveiled a suite of AI‑powered wearables at its Meta Connect 2026 event, including the camera‑free Ray‑Ban Meta Audio priced at $349, the slimmer Ray‑Ban Meta (Gen 3) starting at $449, and the lightweight Meta VR Glasses slated for spring 2027 at $1,299.99. The company also introduced the Muse Charm, a palm‑sized “holdable” designed for its Muse AI assistant, featuring a 2‑inch OLED screen, 5G, and dual cameras for contextual AI. Meta’s expanded lineup—Capri, Nova, Adventurer, Fury, and [...]

Meta unveiled a new virtual‑reality headset that weighs roughly 83 % less and occupies about 60 % less volume than Apple’s Vision Pro, marking a dramatic shift in form factor for high‑end head‑mounted displays. The device, built on Meta’s latest Quest platform, trims bulk by using a redesigned optics module, lighter composite materials and a slimmer battery pack, while retaining six degrees of freedom tracking and a comparable field of view. Early reviewers note that the slimmer profile improves comfort [...]

IonQ announced on September 23, 2026 that its sixth‑generation Superion 256 quantum processor will be installed at NVIDIA’s Accelerated Quantum Research Center (NVAQC) in 2027, marking the first on‑premises quantum system at the facility. The deployment will link the Superion 256 to an NVIDIA GB200 NVL72 GPU server via NVQLink, with workloads managed through NVIDIA’s CUDA‑Q software stack, creating a tightly coupled hybrid quantum‑classical architecture. IonQ has made the Superion 256 available for order, projecting initial customer deliveries for 2027, while the NVAQC [...]