TechCapsules

Apple’s upcoming iPhone Duo will run iOS 27 with several hardware‑specific tweaks. The dock moves to the right side of the outer display, and the outer screen becomes transparent when the Duo is opened. A new Focus mode toggle appears above the camera and flashlight icons on the lock screen, allowing users to turn Focus on or off without unlocking. When active, the Focus status shows in the status bar above the clock. These changes aim to streamline [...]

Apple has reopened hiring for its iCup service team, the first such recruitment in roughly a decade. The role requires employees to maintain, restock, and manage all-in-one coffee machines that handle the entire bean‑to‑brew process. Positions are limited to Cupertino residents, with no relocation assistance noted. The iCup program launched in 2012 and became public in 2014, underscoring Apple’s commitment to providing high‑quality coffee to its workforce. The announcement highlights the company’s focus on employee amenities and [...]

In the first half of 2026, U.S. EV deliveries fell 26.8%, dropping market share from 9.5% to 7.1%. The Tesla Model Y remained the top EV seller but ranked only seventh overall, with sales under half those of the Ford F‑Series. Seven EVs sold under 20,000 units each were re‑ranked by single‑charge range, producing a list that includes the Rivian R1S, Tesla Model 3, Tesla Model Y, Cadillac Lyriq, Ford Mustang Mach‑E, Chevrolet Equinox, and Hyundai Ioniq 5. Rivian and Tesla [...]

Apple’s design dynamics have shifted since Steve Jobs’ partnership with Jony Ive. Tim Cook, focusing on operations, adopted a hands‑off approach, visiting the design lab only monthly, while John Ternus, a hardware veteran, has taken a more active role, balancing sleek aesthetics with usability. Ternus’s oversight has helped refine products like the iPad and AirPods, and he now collaborates closely with designers Molly Anderson and Steve Lemay, ensuring functional excellence alongside visual appeal.

Google announced on Oct. 1 that it is suspending its Open Source Vulnerability Rewards Program (OSS VRP) until the first quarter of 2027. The pause follows a sharp increase in automated AI‑generated bug reports, which Google says are largely invalid. Launched in August 2022, the OSS VRP paid researchers $100 to $31,337 for flaws in Google‑owned open‑source repositories on GitHub and select other platforms, including configuration files such as GitHub Actions workflows. The program does not cover supply‑chain issues [...]

Apple announced plans to tighten macOS Full Disk Access (FDA) controls after security concerns arose from AI agents exploiting the setting. The FDA, introduced in macOS Mojave, lets apps bypass normal restrictions to read or write system files, essential for utilities but risky if misused. Apple cited Meta’s Muse agent, which accessed a journalist’s iMessages after users granted FDA, and a zero‑day in Muse’s Mac app that could redirect dictation traffic. New updates will require explicit user [...]

Agile Space Industries announced two senior appointments to bolster its growth trajectory. Jonathan Baliff, a former Air Force aviator and current Genesis Park operating partner who helped finance Redwire, joined the board, bringing aerospace, finance and transformation expertise. Theo Squires, a former Royal Australian Navy intelligence officer and Boston Consulting Group consultant, was named Director of Strategy & Corporate Development to drive capital formation, strategic investments and acquisitions. The moves coincide with Agile’s selection for the SpaceWERX [...]

In a recent “60 Minutes” interview, CEO Brendan Foody of Mercor, a San Francisco‑based AI‑training firm, explained how his company employs over 100,000 freelance experts to fine‑tune large language models for specific domains such as finance, architecture, winemaking and medicine. Foody, a 23‑year‑old billionaire, said Mercor grew from 20 employees in early 2023 to 400 staff, positioning the firm as a key player in the burgeoning market that supplies human‑generated data to improve AI capabilities. The segment highlighted [...]