HeyWhatsNew: Halo Heads to PlayStation and OpenAI Launches AI-Powered Atlas Browser
Welcome back, Heyuppers! Here’s what’s been making waves this week across the worlds of tech, innovation, and gaming—starting October 28, 2025.
Nike Unveils Project Amplify, the Powered Footwear That Helps You Move with Ease
Nike just introduced Project Amplify, a lightweight robotic ankle brace that gives your steps a helpful boost. Imagine the extra push you get from an e-bike, but this time, it’s for your legs. Built in partnership with robotics company Dephy, the sleek device hides a motor, drive belt, and rechargeable battery that work together to help you move faster and farther with less effort.
Unlike performance gear made for pro athletes, Project Amplify is designed for everyday people who enjoy staying active at a comfortable pace of around 10 to 12 minutes per mile. After years of testing with over 400 participants, Nike says the product is still in development but will eventually make its way to consumers. It’s just one of several exciting innovations the brand teased this week, along with brain-inspired footwear and advanced cooling technology for its athletic wear.
You Can Now Edit Instagram Stories with Meta’s New AI Tools
Instagram users can now tap into Meta’s powerful AI editing tools directly within Stories, making it easier than ever to tweak photos and videos with just a few words. By typing simple prompts like “add a crown,” “change my hair color,” or “make it snow,” users can transform their content in seconds. Found under the “Restyle” menu in the paintbrush icon, the new feature lets you add, remove, or completely change elements in your visuals—no chatbot required.
Beyond custom edits, Meta also offers preset effects that can change your outfit, adjust the style of your image, or even give your video a fun twist, like adding flames or watercolor effects. The update is part of Meta’s wider push to stay ahead in the AI race, following recent features like “Write with Meta AI” for comment suggestions and a new AI video feed called Vibes. The company also rolled out new parental controls, allowing parents to limit teens’ AI chats and keep an eye on how these tools are being used.
Next-Gen Xbox Could Blur the Line Between Console and PC
Microsoft’s next Xbox is shaping up to be a major leap for gamers. Reports indicate the new console will play your entire Xbox library while also giving access to platforms like Steam, Battle.net, and the Epic Games Store. It can function like a Windows PC when you want, yet retain the familiar console interface, letting players move seamlessly between a traditional Xbox experience and a more PC-style setup.
Xbox president Sarah Bond describes the console as a “very premium, very high-end curated experience,” combining the accessibility of a console with the flexibility of a PC. One notable change is the expected removal of the paywall for online multiplayer, opening up free access to online gaming. With AMD providing the chips and design cues from the ROG Xbox Ally, the next Xbox looks set to redefine how and where players access their games.
OpenAI Launches AI-Powered Atlas Browser to Challenge Google
OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, has released a new AI-powered web browser called Atlas, designed to rival Google Chrome and other popular browsers. Unlike traditional browsers, Atlas is built around ChatGPT, with the address bar replaced by an AI-first interface. Users can type questions directly to the AI, and a paid “agent mode” allows ChatGPT to conduct searches and interact with web pages automatically, providing a more personalized browsing experience. Currently, Atlas is available on Apple’s macOS.
The launch comes as OpenAI looks to monetize its AI tools and expand its user base, which now reaches 800 million weekly active users. The company is also integrating services like Etsy, Shopify, Expedia, and Booking.com into the browser ecosystem. While Atlas offers novel AI-powered features, some analysts remain skeptical that it will pose a serious threat to mainstream browsers like Chrome or Microsoft Edge, which already offer similar AI capabilities.
Japanese Teacher Turns Horror Game P.T. into an English Lesson
A teacher in Japan found a surprisingly fun way to get students talking in English—by using Hideo Kojima’s P.T., the legendary teaser for the cancelled Silent Hills game. At Niigata Prefectural Tsunan Secondary School, students practiced everyday English phrases like “taking a stroll,” “walking around the room,” and “answering the phone” while progressing through the game. The teacher would pause the action and ask students which choices they wanted to make next, turning the lesson into an interactive adventure.
Of course, being part of the Silent Hill world meant a few jumpscares along the way. Some students were startled by the sudden ringing of the in-game phone, but that didn’t stop anyone from having fun. According to the school, the activity helped students experience “the joy of using English” in a memorable way. Even though P.T. never became a full game, the lesson shows just how creative educators can get, especially as interest in the franchise grows again with recent remakes like Silent Hill 2 and the success of Silent Hill f.
Halo Is Heading to PlayStation for the First Time
For the first time ever, Microsoft’s legendary Halo franchise is making its way to PlayStation. The remake, Halo: Campaign Evolved, is set to release in 2026 on PS5, Xbox, and PC. Fans can look forward to updated visuals and audio, new prequel missions, split-screen co-op, fresh weapons, and more—giving both longtime players and newcomers a chance to dive into the classic sci-fi adventure in a whole new way.
This move is part of Microsoft’s bigger strategy to bring its major franchises to more players. Titles like Gears of War: Reloaded, Forza Horizon 5, and Microsoft Flight Simulator 24 have already made the jump to PlayStation with strong results. Xbox president Sarah Bond has said that the idea of strict exclusivity feels “antiquated” today, as gamers expect big games to be available across devices. While Xbox users may still get early access for some launches, Microsoft is clearly focused on reaching as many fans as possible with its biggest titles.
That’s all for today, Heyuppers! Join us next week for another exciting roundup of the latest in tech, innovation, and gaming.
