TechCapsules

iOS 27.3 beta 1 introduces a horizontal Reachability feature for the iPhone Duo, addressing complaints about one‑handed usability. The new Reachability shifts the screen left or right with a side swipe, unlike the vertical shift on other models. Users enable it via Settings → Accessibility → Reachability. The update is currently only in developer beta, with a public beta expected soon and a full release slated for mid‑December. Apple’s announcement follows last month’s iPhone Duo reviews that [...]

iOS 27.3 beta introduces extensive Siri AI enhancements across iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Users can now create and save music playlists, schedule and edit iMessages, format Notes, edit photos, and manage Calendar events with voice commands. Siri can also set urgent Reminders, organize Safari tabs, and support journal entries. File and folder management via Siri AI is expanded, allowing creation, renaming, and deletion of files. Apple also opens these capabilities to third‑party developers, with a public release [...]

Google confirmed that a software issue was causing unexpected battery drain on some Pixel Watch models, including the Pixel Watch 2 and newer. The company acknowledged the problem after user complaints surfaced on forums and social media. A fix is now being rolled out via the Play Store, with updates expected to reach all affected devices within a few days. Users can manually trigger the update by selecting “Update all” in the Pixel Watch’s Play Store app. [...]

Fal, a San Francisco-based AI inference platform, secured $1.3 billion in a Series F round led by Bessemer Venture Partners, with Nvidia, Sound Ventures, and T. Rowe Price participating. The funding doubles the company’s valuation to $16 billion, up from $8 billion in April, and brings total capital raised to $1.65 billion across Series E and F. Fal’s revenue surpassed $800 million annually, reflecting growing demand for inference services from open‑source model users. The deal underscores Fal’s rapid expansion amid a competitive, high‑margin‑challenged market. [...]

Microsoft will replace its own password‑backup feature in the Authenticator app for Android with Google One starting January 2027. The change means users must enable the “Microsoft Authenticator” option in Google One’s backup settings instead of using a Microsoft Account for backup. The app, which generates one‑time codes for two‑factor authentication, already used iCloud backup on iOS. The shift reflects Microsoft’s move to leverage Google’s infrastructure for Android users.

Apple unveiled a new Siri AI initiative that permits third‑party developers to build “app skills,” enabling any app to integrate directly with Siri. Previously, Siri’s AI was limited to a small set of schemas; the new skills allow apps to teach Siri how to execute complex, multi‑step actions. The feature is available in iOS 27.3 betas and is slated for a spring rollout. Apple itself is expanding Siri’s capabilities across its own apps, demonstrating the platform’s broader reach. [...]

Microsoft announced that Windows 11 has been optimized for PCs with only 8 GB of RAM, citing up to 20 % faster responsiveness and 40 % quicker multitasking in lab tests. The updates reduce background preloading, cut RAM usage in Office, Edge, and Windows apps, and consolidate web engines to free up roughly 900 MB of memory. OEMs will face “memory budgets” to prevent unnecessary bloat on low‑RAM devices. The changes aim to keep Windows 11 competitive on entry‑level hardware.

Apple released a new beta firmware (build 9B5045a) for select AirPods models, including AirPods Pro 2, AirPods 4 and newer, and AirPods Max 2. The update is available to users who have opted into beta testing, but Apple has not disclosed the specific changes or improvements. The firmware update is distributed through the Apple ecosystem, allowing developers and early adopters to test potential new features or bug fixes before a public release. No release date for a [...]