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5 min read

Week 4, 2025

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Overview

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  1. Big Tech adds AI, raises fees
  2. TikTok's shutdown strategy works
  3. TikTok faces US buyout offers
  4. Users switch to Chinese apps
  5. Trumps launch meme coins
  6. Apple halts AI news summary
  7. ChatGPT adds auto-tasks
  8. TSMC starts US 4nm production
  9. Anduril plans weapon plant
  10. Starship test ends in blast

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Key developments

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  1. AI drives price hikes at Google and Microsoft
    • The tech giants are raising their subscription prices as they roll AI features into core services.
    • Google's Workspace suite now costs $14 per month, a $2 increase that comes with AI features across Gmail and other tools.
    • Microsoft has broken its 12-year pricing freeze, bumping Microsoft 365 subscriptions to $9.99 for individuals and $12.99 for families.
    • While both companies frame these AI features as free additions, customers are essentially paying more for the base service.
    • Users have pushed back against what they see as paying extra for AI features they didn't ask for.
    • The strategy seems clear: build a large user base through bundled AI features while recouping development costs through higher subscription fees.

  1. TikTok's bold gambit pays off
    • US Supreme Court upheld the TikTok ban, but Biden passed the implementation decision to Trump.
    • TikTok responded with a dramatic move: complete service shutdown three hours before the ban.
    • Instead of a gradual phase-out, 170 million US users faced an abrupt TikTok blackout.
    • The strategy worked - user outcry was immediate and intense.
    • Trump hinted at a 90-day grace period, prompting TikTok to restore service.
    • TikTok publicly thanked Trump in an announcement, marking a surprising turn of events.

  1. TikTok's American future: buyers line up
    • China reportedly considered selling TikTok's US operations to Elon Musk.
    • Musk, who has consistently opposed the TikTok ban, pointed out the unfairness: TikTok works in US, X blocked in China.
    • TikTok firmly denied the Musk rumors, calling them "pure fiction."
    • Trump proposed a different deal: 50% US ownership instead of complete sale.
    • Perplexity AI stepped in with merger proposal for TikTok's US entity.
    • Their plan: create joint venture while keeping ByteDance investor stakes.
    • Other notable players are expressing interest including a Shark Tank investor and MrBeast.

  1. TikTok ban backfires: US users flock to Chinese alternatives
    • US TikTok users found a surprising new home: other Chinese apps.
    • Xiaohongshu, China's Instagram, topped US App Store with 700,000 new users in just two days.
    • #TikTokRefugee hit 80 million views.
    • ByteDance's Lemon8 surged to #2, downloads up 190%.
    • Americans are navigating Chinese apps using AI translation.
    • One user noted the irony: "We are a nation built on spite. We're giving our information directly to the Chinese government now... because of what you did."

  1. Trumps launch rival crypto coins, Solana soars
    • Donald Trump released '$TRUMP' token, marketing it as "the only official Trump meme."
    • Coin surged 18,000% after launch, eventually hitting $10B market cap.
    • Trump companies hold 80% of supply, raising manipulation concerns.
    • NYT called it a blatant attempt to monetize presidency.
    • WSJ warned foreign entities might buy coins to curry Trump's favor.
    • Melania Trump launched competing '$MELANIA' token, which also skyrocketed in value.
    • Solana, the blockchain hosting both coins, jumped 43.5% to all-time high.

  1. Apple pulls AI news feature after false death report
    • Apple abruptly suspended its AI news summarization service.
    • The six-month-old feature repeatedly produced serious errors.
    • Most alarming: false report of a murder suspect's suicide.
    • AI wrongly claimed Luigi Mangione, UnitedHealthcare CEO murder suspect, had died.
    • Apple now revamping the service with new safeguards.
    • Planned changes: italic text for AI content, option to disable AI summaries.

  1. ChatGPT evolves into digital personal assistant
    • OpenAI turned ChatGPT into an automated assistant with new 'Tasks' feature.
    • ChatGPT can now run scheduled prompts and email results on autopilot.
    • Users can set up to 10 tasks, from daily news digests to smart wardrobe suggestions.
    • Feature starts in beta for premium users, will expand to mobile and free tiers.
    • TechCrunch calls it OpenAI's first step into AI agent territory.

  1. TSMC starts 4nm chip production in Arizona
    • TSMC began making 4-nanometer chips at its Arizona plant, a first for US soil.
    • Plant matches Taiwan facility's yield and quality benchmarks.
    • Prices set higher to reflect "Made in USA premium" and production diversification.
    • Facility will produce latest Apple chips and AMD processors.
    • Plans include 2nm process by 2028, three plants by 2030.
    • Aims to support US goal of 20% domestic advanced chip production.

  1. Anduril to build $1B autonomous weapons plant in Ohio
    • Anduril plans massive 'Arsenal-1' weapons facility in Columbus, Ohio.
    • $1 billion investment signals tech industry's serious move into defense.
    • Plant will use 'hyperscale' approach: flexible lines making multiple weapon systems.
    • Custom Arsenal OS software ties everything together from design to production.
    • Facility aims to produce tens of thousands of autonomous systems yearly by 2026.
    • Project marks Ohio's largest-ever job creation initiative.

  1. SpaceX Starship explodes during 7th test flight
    • SpaceX's Starship test ended in mid-air explosion despite major design changes.
    • Redesign included smaller wings and 25% larger fuel tanks.
    • Mission saw partial success: first stage booster landed safely on 'Mechazilla' arm.
    • Marked second successful booster recovery after October 2023.
    • Musk posts debris video on X: "Not sure about success, but entertainment guaranteed."
    • Same day, rival Blue Origin tested New Glenn rocket with mixed results.
    • Jeff Bezos' team achieved orbit with second stage but lost first stage booster.

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Other

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AI

OpenAI releases future AI roadmap.
OpenAI launches protein design AI.
Meta dissolves AI safety team.
Google teams with AP for AI news.
Mistral signs AFP content deal.
Minimax drops budget AI model.
MS launches Copilot Chat for business.
Perplexity acquires Read.cv.

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Chips / Infrastructure

TSMC 4Q profits jump 57% YoY.
Intel spins off venture capital arm.

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Social Media

Meta skips Community Notes for ads.
Meta launches video editor 'Edits'.
Instagram shifts to rectangular feed.
Bluesky reports 17x harmful content.
LinkedIn launches free AI services

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Ecommerce

Amazon pauses drone delivery after crash.
Amazon acquires Indian BNPL startup.

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Crypto / Blockchain

Coinbase starts Bitcoin-backed loans.
Ethereum Foundation revamps leadership.
Ripple donates $5M in XRP to Trump fund.
Tether moves HQ to El Salvador.

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Space / Environment

Gates makes first space investment.
Google buys carbon credits in India.

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Regulatory

SEC sues Musk for securities fraud.
EU demands X algorithm transparency.
US exhausts 85% of CHIPS Act funds.

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Etc

Huang visits China over Trump inauguration.
Nadella lunches with Trump and Musk.
Andreessen explains Trump support.

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