TechCapsules

Apple reports that new iPhone 18 Pro models and recent iOS 27 updates experience noticeable slowdowns due to extensive Spotlight and Siri AI indexing. The process, which scans files, apps, emails, contacts, photos, and more, can take hours or even days, especially on devices with large data sets. Users can accelerate completion by pausing usage, charging, and staying on Wi‑Fi, though the initial wait remains the most effective remedy. Apple acknowledges the delay and suggests incremental indexing [...]

At TechCrunch Disrupt 2026, Commonwealth Fusion Systems’ Brandon Sorbom and Helion’s David Kirtley presented on “Bringing Fusion to the Grid.” CFS is advancing SPARC toward its commercial ARC plant, having secured a $1 billion funding round and applied to the PJM Interconnection. Helion is developing Orion, a 50‑MW plant slated to supply Microsoft by 2028, after heating plasma to 150 million °C and closing a $500 million Series G. Both leaders outlined scientific breakthroughs, remaining technical hurdles, and regulatory steps needed for [...]

KIST led a delegation of four South Korean quantum startups—OptiQ‑Labs, xDots, Bright Quantum, and SQK—at the Quantum World Congress 2026, arranging talks with U.S. firms such as D‑Wave and Microsoft, and Japanese research bodies Q‑STAR and AIST. The initiative, part of the Deeptech Incubator Project, secured access to advanced quantum computing systems and opened pathways for enterprise collaboration. OptiQ‑Labs confirmed plans to open a U.S. East Coast office in November, marking the first physical U.S. presence for [...]

Microsoft clarified why current Surface PCs exclude AMD processors. The company cited a limited product portfolio and the need to prioritize other partners, despite having offered AMD‑powered models in the past, such as the Surface Laptop 3 and 4. Surface CVP Brett Ostrum emphasized that Microsoft “loves working with AMD” but must make strategic choices. The decision follows rumors of an upcoming AMD‑based Surface using the Sound Wave APU, which has yet to materialize.

A UK Competition Appeal Tribunal has revived part of a dismissed consumer lawsuit against Apple and Amazon, allowing claims that the 2018 agreement limited Apple product sales through Amazon’s marketplace to proceed. The case, originally filed in 2022, alleges price‑fixing and anti‑competitive practices that could have raised consumer prices. The tribunal rejected a claim about sales from other retailers, citing insufficient evidence. The revived suit could award up to £289 million ($383 million) if successful.

Tarini Padmanabhuni’s grandfather was deceived by a deepfake voice that claimed his brother was kidnapped, prompting a ransom payment that later proved false. Two years later, Padmanabhuni founded DetectifAI to prevent similar scams. The company develops lightweight AI models that run directly on smartphones, offering instant deep‑fake detection without sending audio to the cloud. DetectifAI licenses its SDK to phone manufacturers and fraud‑prevention firms, already handling over 100,000 AI‑generated calls monthly for Indian financial institutions. The startup [...]

Google’s September 2026 Pixel Watch update brings the company’s new 3D emoji catalog to all current Pixel Watch models, including the Pixel Watch 2, 3, and 4, which had previously only supported 2D icons. The update also includes the August 2026 security patch and enhanced gesture controls. The 3D emoji, first introduced on Pixel 11 phones, adds depth and personality to each character and will soon expand to devices from Nothing, Lenovo, Xiaomi, Oppo/OnePlus, Honor, Motorola, and [...]

Apple’s tvOS 27 introduces a new parental control that lets users block specific apps from launching when a child’s profile is active. The update builds on recent profile enhancements that separate viewing histories and recommendations within shared households. Parents can now prevent children from accessing unrestricted apps, complementing existing content filters in the Apple TV app. The change aligns with Apple’s broader focus on parental controls in iOS 27 and signals the company’s intent to expand profile [...]