TechCapsules

Fusion power has gained significant traction in recent years, with investors pouring in millions to support startups working on commercially viable fusion power plants. Companies like Commonwealth Fusion Systems, TAE Technologies, and Helion have made notable advancements, leveraging breakthroughs in computer chips, AI, and high-temperature superconducting magnets to develop sophisticated reactor designs and control schemes. A recent experiment at a U.S. Department of Energy lab crossed the scientific breakeven threshold, further solidifying the potential of fusion power [...]

Austrian satellite propulsion startup Gate Space has secured 6.3 million euros ($7.2 million) in funding from Europe's government-backed accelerator program. The funding will accelerate the industrialization of chemical propulsion technology, set to debut on Austria's inaugural military satellite, BeaconSat, in February. Gate Space is developing high-thrust chemical propulsion systems for satellites, capsules, and landing vehicles, with a focus on providing reliable maneuvering capabilities for safe collision avoidance and de-orbiting. The startup has also secured customer missions, including [...]

Google has updated the Pixel Launcher search bar, making it slightly taller. The change applies to the Google app's Search homescreen widget as well. Additionally, the size of the Lens, voice search, and AI Mode icons has been increased. This update reverses a design change made in December, which replaced the Material 3 Expressive redesign with a new search bar design. The update is now available with version 17.32 of the Google app.

Microsoft has announced that it will end support for Office 2021 on October 13, 2026, after which users will no longer receive patches, fixes, or security updates. This move is part of Microsoft's effort to push users towards its subscription-based productivity offerings, such as Microsoft 365. Users who choose to stay with Office 2021 can take steps to mitigate potential security risks, including keeping the software offline, practicing safe document handling, and keeping Windows Security updated.

Amazon has walked away from Artificial, a nearly complete biopic about OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, just months after investing $50 billion in the company. The decision, made by Prime Video head Mike Hopkins, follows positive reactions to the movie from private test screenings. Directed by Luca Guadagnino, the film stars Andrew Garfield as Altman and features a cast that includes Ike Barinholtz as Elon Musk. Amazon is working with the film's team to find a new distributor, [...]

Tesla's president from 2015 to 2018, John McNeill, revealed in a recent interview that the company drew inspiration from its Chinese electric vehicle (EV) rivals, particularly BYD, during the production ramp-up of the Model 3 and Model Y development. McNeill praised BYD's disciplined approach to reusing parts, which saved them money and allowed for economies of scale. As a result, Tesla adopted a similar strategy, using around 75% of the same parts in the Model Y as [...]

ElevationSpace Inc. has secured US $40 million in its Series B funding round, bringing the total raised to US $63.5 million. The company is developing space-to-Earth transportation services and a space environment utilization and recovery platform, leveraging Japan's expertise in small satellite lift-guided re-entry. The funding will support the development and operation of the company's services, as well as its global expansion. ElevationSpace is close to completing the assembly of its first private re-entry satellite, the "AOBA," [...]

Hanwha Aerospace is seeking partners to co-develop next-generation technologies by publicly disclosing its internal development challenges. The South Korean defense company participated in the NextRise 2026 startup fair to recruit partners for 12 projects, including autonomous-driving AI and counter-drone systems. Hanwha aims to reduce reliance on foreign suppliers, as dependence on overseas vendors has become a liability in the past. The company is looking for domestic alternatives to critical parts, such as a 28-volt vehicle DC generator [...]