TechCapsules

Apple released the iPhone Duo, accompanied by a range of purpose‑built cases from Apple and third‑party makers. The new cases feature Apple’s TechWoven fabric, aramid fiber from Pitaka, and premium full‑grain leather options. All are MagSafe‑ready, include protective bezels, and are available at prices starting at $27. Apple’s Duo cases are temporarily out of stock on Amazon, but can be purchased directly from the Apple site using discount codes. The collection emphasizes durability, style, and seamless integration [...]

Apple HomeKit Weekly advises homeowners to set up holiday automations in early October, using the same smart plugs and devices for both Halloween and Christmas. A home hub—Apple TV, HomePod, or HomePod mini—is required to run automations remotely. Outdoor-rated smart plugs with dual outlets allow separate control of inflatables, lights, and fog machines. Motion sensors and color‑changing bulbs enhance Halloween, while sunset‑triggered schedules manage Christmas lights. The setup costs around $20 and takes about five minutes per [...]

Veritas, a startup founded by former Tesla product manager Luci Holland, has released a second‑generation anti‑counterfeit chip that can be embedded in metal, glass, and hard‑surface items without damaging them. The chip produces a secure, tamper‑detectable response to each tap and links the physical product to a digital certificate accessible via the company’s app. Veritas has partnered with ATHLOS to embed chips in 18 championship crowns and has also installed a chip in a pair of LeBron [...]

Apple has hired Scott Tucker, a former Meta vice president and deputy general counsel for litigation, as its new vice president of litigation and services. Tucker, who joined Meta in 2021 after a senior legal role at Morgan Stanley, will oversee Apple’s patent disputes and manage issues tied

Apple’s HomeView, a new product category, is now available for pre‑order and will ship on November 13. The device runs a unique software stack that blends Siri‑powered voice interactions with a traditional Home Screen grid of apps. At launch, HomeView will include most Apple apps, with Audiobooks, Classical Music, News, and TV requiring an iPhone connection on the same Wi‑Fi network. Third‑party CarPlay‑compatible audio and video apps such as Spotify will also be available, while a dedicated Photos [...]

Microsoft launched the Surface Laptop Ultra, its most powerful Surface to date, featuring NVIDIA’s RTX Spark SoC, a 15‑inch Mini‑LED display, and a haptic trackpad. The base model starts at $2,599 with 24 GB RAM, while the top configuration reaches $5,899 with 128 GB RAM and a 20‑core RTX Spark. The laptop offers robust performance for creative and AI workloads but suffers from average battery life, a non‑class‑leading display, and a high price point. The device is positioned as a direct [...]

Apple released its latest flagship iPhones, the foldable iPhone Duo and the traditional iPhone 18 Pro, highlighting distinct form factors and feature sets. The Duo sports a 5.4‑inch outer display and a 7.6‑inch inner foldable screen, uses titanium construction, Touch ID, and supports Apple Pencil later this year. The 18 Pro offers a 6.3‑inch or 6.9‑inch display, aluminum unibody, Face ID, a 48‑MP main camera with variable aperture, a telephoto lens, and ProRes video capabilities. Both models feature a new C2 [...]

Xbox is preparing to celebrate its 25th anniversary, prompting Windows Central to publish a series of retrospectives, editorials, and opinion pieces that trace the brand’s evolution from the original console and Xbox Live to the Xbox 360, Game Pass, and cloud gaming. The coverage highlights Microsoft’s strategy and speculates on future directions as the platform moves toward greater platform‑agnosticism. The articles aim to contextualize Xbox’s impact on the industry and outline potential next steps for the franchise. [...]