TechCapsules

Microsoft is revamping Windows 11’s Search feature to make it faster, more accurate and capable of executing tasks directly from the Taskbar. Built on WinUI 3, the redesign reduces memory usage and improves typo and synonym matching. Users can now type commands such as “switch to dark mode” or “turn on Bluetooth” to adjust settings without opening separate apps. Upcoming updates will add inline file previews, richer web‑result cards and integration with the Copilot AI assistant, which will surface [...]

Apple unveiled its long‑awaited HomeView smart‑home display, priced at $299, after delays tied to a smarter Siri. Early users note the need to manually reposition the 7‑inch unit when multiple people are around. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reports Apple is developing a higher‑end HomeView Pro, codenamed J595, slated for release in 2027‑2028. The Pro will feature a 9‑inch screen and a motorized arm that rotates the display 360 degrees, using voice recognition to turn toward the speaker. Apple hopes [...]

Sean Endicott, a veteran News Writer at Windows Central, pens the weekly “Windows Wrap” column that curates the most consequential stories across Microsoft’s software and hardware ecosystem. Since joining the site in 2017, he has authored over a thousand pieces covering Windows 11 updates, Surface launches, Microsoft 365 changes, and the company’s expanding AI initiatives. Endicott’s reporting blends breaking news, deep analysis, and opinion, offering readers a cohesive view of how individual developments interlock within the broader PC landscape. His [...]

Apple is reportedly developing a new version of its HomeView smart speaker that will feature a 9‑inch display and a motorized arm capable of rotating 360 degrees and automatically facing the user through voice recognition. The prototype, identified by the internal codename J595, is expected to launch in 2027 or 2028 and may be marketed under a variant name such as HomeView Max or Ultra rather than as a direct successor. The arm would allow the device [...]

Swedish developer Liquid Swords, creator of the action title Samson, was placed in bankruptcy on 12 October, according to PC Gamer’s Break It. The court‑ordered filing will trigger Sweden’s state wage guarantee, ensuring that the studio’s roughly 30 staff receive unpaid salaries. Bankruptcy trustee Anders Nilsson is seeking a buyer for the company’s assets, including the partially released Samson: A Tyndalston Story, which launched on PC in April and on consoles in September to mixed reviews and technical complaints. [...]

Apple is set to launch its first touchscreen MacBook Pro Nov. 6, following hints in macOS 27 such as Sidecar touch support and larger menu‑bar items. The new model will feature a Tandem OLED panel—stacked OLED layers delivering vivid colors, high contrast and increased brightness—similar to iPad Pro display, and will include a smaller Dynamic Island but no Face ID. Software optimizations will present contextual finger‑friendly menus that expand controls based on prior interactions. Apple will equip the device with existing [...]

9to5Google’s Ben Schoon advises against purchasing a Googlebook, citing poor timing rather than the device’s intrinsic flaws. He notes the platform occupies the same niche as Chromebooks, lacking a mature app ecosystem and offering limited functionality compared to established Windows and macOS laptops. At a price point of roughly $1,000‑$1,200, the Googlebook provides fewer capabilities while tying users to a nascent, beta‑stage system. Schoon argues that ongoing “RAMageddon” and rising hardware costs make the expense untenable, especially when [...]

Character.AI, the chatbot startup that filed for bankruptcy this week, will see most of its staff transition to Disney. The entertainment conglomerate has agreed to extend employment offers to at least 60 workers, representing the majority of the company’s workforce, and to provide $60 million compensation. Former Character.AI chief executive Karandeep Anand has been hired as Disney’s first chief technology officer. Disney’s plan also includes acquiring select assets of the bankrupt firm for an estimated $20 million, though the [...]