HeyWhatsNew: It’s CES Week, Bringing All the Major Tech Releases and Announcements of the Year
What’s new, HeyUp Crew? The year, of course! And with the new year comes a boatload of new tech and updates. Let’s find out what went down in the tech world in the week beginning 6/1/2025.
CES 2025 Takes Place This Week
The highly anticipated CES 2025 is officially underway in Las Vegas, bringing together tech enthusiasts, industry leaders, and innovators from around the globe. This year’s event promises to be one of the most exciting yet, with over 3,000 exhibitors showcasing cutting-edge technology across various sectors, including AI, smart home devices, gaming, automotive, and sustainable tech solutions.
Among the biggest announcements so far is Samsung’s new AI subscription service for Galaxy devices, expected to launch alongside the Galaxy S25 series. Google also made headlines by partnering with MediaTek to develop a new chipset for smarter home ecosystems. CES 2025 runs through the week, with more exciting announcements expected as the event continues. Stay tuned for daily updates on the biggest reveals and emerging trends from this year’s show.
Apple Set to Pay $95 Million in Siri Lawsuit, But Denies Any Wrongdoing
Apple has agreed to pay $95 million to settle a lawsuit accusing the company of using Siri to listen to people without their permission. The lawsuit claimed that Siri sometimes recorded users without them knowing and shared the recordings with advertisers. Apple denied the accusations and said it hasn’t sold Siri data, but decided to settle the case to avoid a long court battle.
As part of the deal, Apple still denies any wrongdoing. U.S. users who owned Siri-enabled devices between 2014 and 2019 could receive up to $20 per device. Lawyers in the case are set to receive about $30 million of the settlement. By settling, Apple avoids a potentially bigger loss if the case had gone to court.
Samsung AI Subscription Club Coming to the Global Market
At this year’s CES, Samsung announced plans to introduce a new “AI subscription” for Galaxy devices starting in February 2025, when the Galaxy S25 series is set to launch. According to ETNews, Samsung’s Han Jong-hee confirmed the subscription during a press conference, but details are still emerging.
Unlike previous Galaxy AI features, which were free on the Galaxy S24 series, Samsung hinted that these features may require a paid subscription after 2025. A footnote on the Galaxy S24 mentioned that AI features would remain free until the end of 2025, but terms for third-party features might vary. Stay tuned for more details as Samsung prepares to roll out this new AI service.
Microsoft Takes Back Bing AI Image Generator Update After Quality Complaints
Microsoft recently rolled back its December 18, 2024 update to Bing Image Creator, which introduced OpenAI’s DALL-E 3 model (PR16). Instead of improving speed and quality as intended, the update left users disappointed, with many describing the generated images as unrealistic and lacking detail compared to the previous version.
Frustrated users voiced their concerns on forums like Reddit, calling the images “cartoonish” and “lifeless.” Some even switched to alternative AI tools, such as ChatGPT’s image generator. Acknowledging the criticism, Microsoft’s head of search, Jordi Ribas, announced a return to the previous DALL-E model (PR13) while the company works to improve future updates.
Copilot Coming to Your Living Room with LG and Samsung TVs
Microsoft Copilot Coming to LG and Samsung TVs for a Smarter Viewing Experience
Copilot is heading to your living room as LG and Samsung prepare to add Microsoft’s AI-powered assistant to their 2025 TV models. LG’s upcoming OLED evo lineup promises AI-driven personalization, offering tailored experiences like personalized greetings, voice-recognized profiles, and content suggestions based on individual viewing habits.
With Copilot integration, users can quickly find and organize information using contextual prompts, while the AI chatbot offers proactive help when needed. Samsung is also adding Copilot to its TVs and smart monitors, focusing on personalized recommendations. The company is collaborating with AI partners like Google, hinting that Gemini AI might also join the mix in future updates.
MediaTek Partners with Google to Make Your Home Smarter
At CES 2025, Google and MediaTek unveiled a new partnership to develop a chipset for the Google Home ecosystem. The MT7903, a MediaTek Filogic-branded chip, is designed to simplify and expand smart home connectivity. Featuring tri-band Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 6, and Thread radios, the chip will help smart devices work better together.
Set to be available for manufacturers by mid-2025, the MT7903 will support the Matter standard, which allows devices from different brands to connect easily while ensuring better security. This move is expected to make smart home integration more seamless and affordable for future devices.
That wraps up this week’s roundup, HeyUp Crew! From exciting tech launches to groundbreaking updates, it’s clear that 2025 is off to a fast-paced start. Stay tuned for more news and innovations as we dive deeper into what’s shaping up to be an unforgettable year in tech. Catch you next week!
