TechCapsules

Trucks VC reports a surge in autonomous‑vehicle startups, with 81 pitches in 2026—two‑thirds more than the previous year—indicating a second, larger AV wave. The firm attributes the growth to AI foundation models like Nvidia’s Alpamayo and Qwen’s vision‑language‑action systems, which lower development costs and accelerate deployment. Startups are targeting diverse sectors, from construction to robotaxis, and many position themselves as regional competitors to Waymo. The trend suggests a rapidly expanding, more accessible AV ecosystem. [...]

Apple is set to launch three refreshed iPad models early next year, following the recent OLED‑equipped iPad mini. The new iPad Air will feature an OLED display, likely retain a 60 Hz panel, and may upgrade to an M5 chip, priced around $799‑$899. The base iPad will receive an A19 chip, 8 GB RAM, and Apple Intelligence support, with no major design changes. The iPad Pro will add a vapor‑chamber cooler and a new M6 or M7 chip, starting [...]

At the Android Dev Summit 2026, Google unveiled its next hardware category, the Googlebook ‘detachables,’ positioning them as the successor to clamshell and convertible devices. The announcement confirmed earlier leaks and showed that four of the five models are clamshells, including the Acer Googlebook 14 priced at $899, which functions as a laptop, tent and tablet. Googlebook OS will run across all form factors, but on launch only landscape orientation supports the homescreen, overview and app tray, while [...]

OpenAI is planning a public‑relations campaign after the November 5 midterm elections, according to Axios. Chief global affairs officer Chris Lehane said the vote will serve as “a movie trailer for what you’re going to see in 2028,” anticipating AI as a central issue in the 2028 presidential race. The campaign will promote several policy ideas: imposing AI “speed limits,” framing AI as an empowerment tool, urging the United States to lead the creation of global AI [...]

Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, sparked controversy in a recent interview with the YouTube channel Cheeky Pint by claiming that personal RAM in devices like Macs is wasteful and should be reallocated to cloud AI workloads. He argued that only about 5 % of a consumer’s DRAM is actively used, and that the global shortage of memory—exacerbated by AI’s soaring demand—requires “maximum utilization in the cloud.” Altman’s remarks framed everyday users as impediments to AI progress, suggesting that buying [...]

In mid‑October, looters during French riots in Lille received a notification that the iPhones they stole were disabled, tracked, and would alert authorities. The message, translated into French, warned that the devices were bricked and monitored. The incident highlighted the vulnerability of Apple products to anti‑theft measures during widespread unrest. The event followed other Apple‑related thefts, including a high‑profile hack involving Jared Kushner’s iPhone and a warehouse heist in India.

Apple’s authorized airport dealer iStore is offering a limited-time discount on its third‑generation Apple TV 128GB Ethernet model, priced at $129.99 plus tax. The promotion is available chain‑wide across iStore locations in airports, though availability may vary by terminal. The sale highlights the retailer’s strategy to attract travelers seeking affordable entertainment devices. The discount is notable for its steep reduction from the standard retail price, potentially boosting impulse purchases among commuters.

In October 2026, Microsoft tested a suite of Windows 11 preview features that aim to streamline user experience. The most notable updates include a fully customizable right‑click context menu, a new “Speed test” button in Quick Settings that runs natively without launching a browser, and expanded Start‑menu controls allowing users to select small, large, or automatic layouts. Additional tweaks added phone controls to Quick Settings, improved Windows Hello in low light, enhanced accessibility options, and refined handheld gaming support. [...]