HeyWhatsNew: Meta Launches Standalone AI App and Amazon’s Satellites Have Left the Atmosphere
Hey there, HeyUppers! We’re thrilled to welcome another week of exciting tech and gaming headlines. Let’s take a look at everything happening in the week beginning 28/04/2025.
Kickstarter Launches Tariff Manager Tool
Import tariffs placed by American President Donald Trump have had a sweeping impact on several businesses in the country. For the American public benefit corporation, Kickstarter, the sharp rise in costs has affected the pockets of many creators on the global crowdfunding platform. According to the organization, over US$ 8 billion has been pledged to Kickstarter projects since its founding in 2009.
Now, Kickstarter is planning to launch a new “Tariff Manager Tool” that allows creators to apply a surcharge to projects after their campaign has ended, to combat the rising costs. Creators affected by the tariffs can submit a request and then apply per-item surcharges to backers with US shipping addresses. Those who do not pay the fee will have to reach out to creators directly to come up with a solution. The platform is now “weeks away” from rolling out the tool.
OpenAI Explains Sycophantic ChatGPT Update Error
OpenAI recently rolled back its latest update to the default AI model powering ChatGPT, GPT-4o. This move comes after several complaints about strange behavior from the platform that made results overly agreeable and supportive of any input. The flaw quickly gained traction on social media, with users posting screenshots of the chatbot applauding several problematic or dangerous ideas.
According to the company, the previous GPT‑4o update was meant to improve the model’s default personality to make it feel “more intuitive and effective across a variety of tasks.” However, the team focused too much on short-term feedback without accounting for how user interactions shape the way ChatGPT responds, resulting in disingenuous support. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman stated that the company is still working on “additional fixes” to the model’s personality.
Meta Launches Standalone AI App at LlamaCon
Meta has unveiled a new Meta AI app at its AI developer event, LlamaCon. The company is launching the new AI platform using Llama 4 to create a more “personal” AI. The company has resolved that people have been using Meta AI globally across WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, and Messenger, and will now benefit from a personalized AI experience designed around voice conversations with the standalone app.
Much like ChatGPT, the new Meta AI app provides assistance and solutions, however, with a more personal touch that remembers preferences and context. Meta claims that its AI app does this “by drawing on information you’ve already chosen to share on Meta products, like your profile, and content you like or engage with.” The app also features a Discover feed and can be linked to the company’s AI glasses.
EA Cancels Titanfall Game and Lays Off Hundreds
Gaming giant Electronic Arts (EA) has fired up to 400 employees recently and cancelled the next “Titanfall” game. Around 100 of the positions eliminated were at the company’s Respawn Entertainment unit, which was developing Titanfall and another project. The company stated that the move was part of its continued focus on long-term strategic priorities that more effectively align teams and allocate resources “in service of driving future growth.”
Respawn stated on X that it had decided to “step away from two early-stage incubation projects and make some targeted adjustments across Apex Legends and Star Wars Jedi.” It also noted that it would continue working on an upcoming season of Apex Legends and that "the next chapter of the Star Wars Jedi series is aiming to raise the bar again for storytelling and gameplay.”
Amazon Launches Kuiper Internet Satellites
On the 28th of April, Amazon launched the first 27 satellites for its Kuiper broadband internet constellation. The US$ 10 billion Kuiper Project is Amazon’s ambitious bid in the advanced space race that will seemingly rival SpaceX’s Starlink. The company plans to send a total of 3,236 satellites into low-Earth orbit to beam broadband internet globally for consumers, businesses, and governments.
Amazon could launch five more Kuiper missions this year and faces a deadline set by the U.S. Federal Communications Commission to deploy half its constellation by mid-2026. However, delays may mean that the company would need an extension. According to Amazon, it expects to begin delivering services to customers later this year if all goes to plan.
Apple Production Moves Forward in India
With America’s hefty tariffs on Chinese imports, companies are now scrambling to shift production to keep supply chains running. Apple has now taken “urgent steps” to shift some of the weight of production from its main manufacturing hub in China to factories in India by the end of 2026. The company has fast-tracked expansion plans with new Foxconn and Tata plants already up and running for the iPhone 16 and older models.
Reuters reported that around 300-500 iPhone units per hour can be made at the factory and that the plant is expected to create 50,000 jobs at full capacity when construction is fully completed around December 2027. Apple has already shipped around 600 tons of iPhones worth US$ 2 billion to the U.S. from India in March. Combined, Foxconn and Tata will operate a total of five iPhone factories in India.
Well, that’s a wrap on everything stirring in the tech world for now. Catch up with us again next week for more of the latest!
