TechCapsules

Apple has begun accepting iPhone Duo‑optimized apps and games for the App Store, following the release of Xcode 27.1 Release Candidate 1. Developers can now build, test, and submit Duo‑ready titles via App Store Connect, where a badge will indicate optimization. Starting April 2027, all submissions must include Duo screenshots. Apple offers resources, including Device Hub for pose visualization and upcoming in‑person workshops. The iPhone Duo will be available for pre‑order on October 16, with retail deliveries beginning October 23. [...]

Google Messages users report a recurring bug that prevents media from sending via RCS, causing messages to either fail outright or deliver all files at once. The issue surfaced after the August update on Pixel devices and has persisted for several days in some cases. Google acknowledges the problem and is deploying a fix that may take a couple of weeks. The glitch echoes last year’s similar media‑sending failure, which was resolved with a server‑side patch. [...]

Googlebook has launched its first major app, Luminar, a photo‑editing tool that now supports the new OS. The rebuilt app meets Googlebook’s Tier 1 quality standards, adding keyboard shortcuts, resizable windows, drag‑and‑drop, and “Continue On” functionality that lets users start edits on mobile and finish on a Googlebook. Luminar is available through the Play Store, with a 12‑month free trial followed by a one‑time purchase for premium features. The release marks a significant expansion of Googlebook’s app ecosystem. [...]

Apple’s macOS 27.2 beta introduces new touch‑gesture code for Safari, Notes, and QuickLook, hinting at expanded touch support for both Sidecar and a forthcoming touchscreen MacBook Pro. The beta references “ICTouchPressGestureRecognizer,” “dragTouch,” and a “touch sentinel recognizer,” though the gestures are currently only in the code. If implemented, these features would allow iPad users to control a Mac with touch and could enable a touch‑enabled MacBook Pro slated for late 2026. The update suggests Apple is consolidating [...]

Google Play services version 26.39 adds two new features to Find Hub tags. Devices that support NFC can now be tapped with a phone to display details, settings, or identify lost tags, eliminating the need to manually activate identification mode. The update also streamlines initial registration, allowing users to assign a category, rename tags, and adjust settings directly during setup instead of through the Find Hub app. These changes improve usability and hint at broader NFC adoption among third‑party trackers. [...]

Menlo Ventures announced a new investment in AI coding startup Factory, joining a $5 billion valuation round. The firm did not disclose the amount but emphasized the commitment was substantial, noting it would have invested more if cap space allowed. The move follows a public dispute in which Factory CEO Matan Grinberg fired investor Chris Degnan, who later joined competitor Cognition. Vinod Khosla criticized Factory, calling it a “struggling second‑tier competitor,” while Menlo’s endorsement signals confidence in Factory’s [...]

Microsoft Distinguished Engineer David Fowler rebutted a viral X post claiming Windows is unworthy for developers, citing that 49.5 % of professional developers use Windows, per Stack Overflow’s 2025 survey. Fowler noted that while startup and Big‑Tech developers lean toward macOS and Linux, many still rely on Windows for .NET, C#, game development, and enterprise workloads. Microsoft continues to invest in Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL), expanding Linux containers and AI tooling to attract a broader developer base.

Apple has counter‑accused OpenAI of exceeding court limits by filing new arguments and evidence in its trade‑secret lawsuit. The dispute centers on Apple’s request for a preliminary injunction to protect its confidential data from being used in OpenAI’s hardware development. Apple argues that OpenAI’s reply brief and a new declaration from former employee Chang Liu introduce prohibited arguments and exceed the 5‑page limit, violating Rule 7‑3(d)(1). The case will be heard on October 14. [...]