Amazon increases fees, ChatGPT comes to the enterprise, and Apple announces a press conference

Welcome to the latest edition of Week in Review (WiR), Techfullnews’ comprehensive newsletter summarizing the week’s most significant developments in the tech world. If you’ve been too swamped to keep up with the latest news, you’ve come to the right place. WiR is here to provide you with a concise recap of what you may have missed.

Teamshares: Disrupting Small Business Succession Plans

Teamshares, a New York-based startup with strong backing from venture capital, has emerged as a game-changer in the realm of small business acquisitions. Their approach involves quietly acquiring mom-and-pop shops, often at prices below market rates, but with a unique twist. Upon acquisition, Teamshares appoints a new president and allocates 10% of the company’s stock to its employees. The real game plan, according to co-founder and CEO Michael Brown, is to generate revenue through an expanding range of fintech products offered to the acquired businesses. This innovative approach capitalizes on the opportunity presented by small businesses lacking a clear succession plan.

Zepto: India’s Newest Unicorn in 2023

Zepto, an instant grocery delivery startup, has made waves by raising a remarkable $200 million in its latest funding round, elevating its valuation to a staggering $1.4 billion. This achievement stands out in an industry where many firms have faced significant challenges or failed to thrive. Zepto operates in seven Indian cities, processing a staggering 300,000 daily orders spanning everything from groceries to electronic gadgets. The company’s ambitious plans include an IPO slated for 2025.

OpenAI: ChatGPT Goes Enterprise

Building upon the viral success of ChatGPT, OpenAI is unveiling ChatGPT Enterprise, a business-focused iteration of their AI-powered chatbot application. ChatGPT Enterprise boasts “enterprise-grade” privacy and data analysis features in addition to enhanced performance and customization options, setting it apart from the standard ChatGPT. This move positions OpenAI to cater specifically to the needs of the business world, enhancing productivity and communication.

Google: BigQuery Studio for Data Analytics

Google has introduced BigQuery Studio, a groundbreaking addition to BigQuery, their fully managed serverless data warehouse. BigQuery Studio simplifies data analytics by providing a unified platform where programming languages like SQL, Python, and Spark can be used to run analytics and machine learning workloads at a massive scale, even reaching the petabyte range. Teams can seamlessly access data while enjoying enhanced controls for governance, regulation, and compliance, making it an ideal solution for enterprise-level data management.

Apple’s Upcoming Event: iPhone 15 Anticipation

Apple enthusiasts are eagerly awaiting the company’s upcoming press conference scheduled for September 12. The event will once again take place at Apple Park in Cupertino. Anticipated as the centerpiece of the event is the unveiling of the iPhone 15. Additionally, expectations include the introduction of the Apple Watch Series 9 and a sneak peek at the Vision Pro, Apple’s AR headset, set to launch in 2024.

Google Flights: Insights for Smart Travel Booking

Google Flights is enhancing the travel booking experience by rolling out a new feature that aids users in determining the optimal time to book their flights. Leveraging historical trend data, this feature provides insights into when ticket prices have historically been lowest for selected destinations on specific dates. In some instances, Google will even offer refunds if fares decrease before departure, ensuring travelers make informed decisions.

Brazilian Phone Spyware Breach

A Portuguese-language spyware known as WebDetetive has been implicated in compromising over 76,000 Android phones, primarily in South America, with a significant focus on Brazil. WebDetetive is the latest phone spyware company to fall victim to hacking. Anonymous hackers exploited security vulnerabilities to compromise WebDetetive’s servers and access user databases. This breach raises concerns about the security of personal data and privacy in the digital age.

Amazon Adjusts Shipping Fees

Amazon is modifying its shipping fee policies, increasing the minimum for free shipping to $35 for customers without a Prime membership in select regions. Previously, the minimum for free shipping stood at $25. Amazon clarifies that this change is being tested on a regional basis and that all users within a specific region will encounter the same free shipping threshold.

Babylon Health: Financial Struggles and Restructuring

Babylon Health, a London-based telehealth startup previously valued at nearly $2 billion and backed by the founders of DeepMind, has faced a turbulent financial journey. The company’s U.S. shares became worthless, leading to insolvency. This week, the UK subsidiary formally entered administration while simultaneously selling a significant portion of its assets to eMed Healthcare UK, a new subsidiary of U.S. company eMed.

EU Empowers Users to Reject Algorithmic Manipulation

Internet users in the European Union are witnessing a significant shift in their experience on mainstream social networks. Thanks to the bloc’s Digital Services Act, users on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat can now easily decline “personalized” content feeds based on AI-driven algorithms. Instead, they can opt for a more straightforward news feed, displaying posts from friends in chronological order. This empowers users to take control of their online experience and opt out of algorithmic manipulation.

If you’re looking for engaging podcasts to fill your hours, TechCrunch offers several options that cover a range of topics, from the intricacies of successful leadership to the power of collective intelligence and digital asset management. These podcasts provide valuable insights and interviews with industry experts, making them perfect for the workday commute.

After a five-year hiatus, Fortnite is back on the US App Store

A program is launched by Meta to promote the adoption of their Llama AI models by companies

Signal’s latest Windows version stops the system from taking chat screenshots

Burnout in PlayStation Stars

Social Tech

Mark Zuckerberg is preparing advertisements and a premium tier for Meta’s AI app

by George Mensah 2025-05-01

In a strategic shift, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg revealed plans for a premium subscription tier for Meta AI, positioning it to compete directly with OpenAI’s ChatGPT Plus, Google’s Gemini Advanced, and Microsoft’s Copilot Pro. The announcement came during Meta’s Q1 2025 earnings call, signaling a major push to monetize its rapidly growing AI platform.

With nearly 1 billion users already engaging with Meta AI across Facebook, Messenger, WhatsApp, and its new standalone app, this move could reshape the AI subscription wars. But will users pay for yet another premium chatbot?

Why Is Meta Introducing a Paid AI Tier?

Zuckerberg framed the decision as a natural evolution:

“There’s an opportunity to offer a premium service for people who want to unlock more compute or additional functionality.”

This suggests Meta AI’s paid version could include:
✔ Faster, more powerful AI responses (similar to GPT-4 Turbo in ChatGPT Plus)
✔ Advanced image generation (beyond current free capabilities)
✔ Early access to new AI features (like multi-modal AI or coding assistance)
✔ Ad-free or priority support

Meta’s AI Expansion: A $72 Billion Bet

Meta’s AI ambitions are skyrocketing, with key developments:

New Standalone Meta AI App – Launched this week, allowing direct chatbot interaction and image generation.
Massive Investment Increase – AI spending projections jumped from 65Bto65Bto72B, outpacing rivals.
Ads & Product Recommendations Coming – Zuckerberg hinted at AI-powered shopping integrations, similar to Google’s SGE.

But here’s the catch: Meta won’t rush monetization. Zuckerberg emphasized:

“We’ll be focused on scaling and deepening engagement for at least the next year before building out the business.”

This means the paid tier may not launch until 2026, giving Meta time to refine its AI before charging users.

How Does Meta AI Compare to Paid Rivals?

Feature	Meta AI (Free)	Meta AI (Paid?)	ChatGPT Plus	Gemini Advanced
Speed/Performance	Standard	Likely faster	GPT-4 Turbo	Gemini Ultra
Image Generation	Yes (basic)	Advanced?	DALL·E 3	Imagen 2
Multi-Modal AI	Limited	Possible upgrade	Yes (voice/vision)	Yes (Gemini 1.5)
Price	Free	TBA (Est. 10−10−20/mo)	$20/month	$19.99/month

Key Question: Will Meta undercut competitors on pricing, or match them with superior features?

The Bigger Picture: Meta’s AI Monetization Strategy

Freemium Model Works – Like OpenAI, Meta will likely keep a free tier to retain mass adoption.
Ads Are Coming – AI-generated product recommendations could boost Meta’s ad revenue (already at $42B last quarter).
Hardware Synergy? – Could Meta AI Pro bundle with Quest VR or Ray-Ban Meta glasses?

Expert Analysis: Can Meta Compete with OpenAI & Google?

As a digital strategist tracking AI trends since 2020, I see three possible outcomes:

✅ Success Scenario – If Meta AI’s paid tier offers unique social integrations (e.g., WhatsApp business tools), it could carve a niche.
⚠ Mid-Tier Performer – If it’s just a ChatGPT clone, users may stick with established players.
❌ Struggle Scenario – If Meta rushes ads too aggressively, it could alienate users (like X/Twitter’s AI backlash).

What Should Users Do Now?

🔹 Try Meta AI’s Free Tier – Test its image generation & chatbot before paying.
🔹 Watch for Early Beta Access – Meta may offer discounts for early subscribers.
🔹 Compare Alternatives – Gemini Advanced and Copilot Pro still lead in enterprise AI.

Final Verdict: A Bold Gamble, But Will It Pay Off?

Meta’s move into paid AI was inevitable—but its $72B investment shows Zuckerberg is all-in. The key will be differentiation:

✔ If Meta AI leverages its social data (e.g., personalized recommendations), it could win.
✖ If it’s just another chatbot, users may ignore it.

Your Turn: Would you pay for Meta AI Pro, or stick with ChatGPT/Gemini? Comment below!

Social Tech

Meta is terminating workers at Reality Labs

by George Mensah 2025-04-26

Meta has confirmed another round of layoffs, this time targeting its Reality Labs division, though the exact number of affected employees remains undisclosed. This move comes as part of the company’s ongoing “Year of Efficiency” initiative that began in 2023, which has already seen Meta reduce its workforce by about 22% across multiple waves of cuts.

Areas Most Affected by the Cuts

The restructuring has particularly impacted:

Oculus Studios teams developing games for Quest VR headsets
Hardware development groups working on future VR/AR devices
Supernatural, Meta’s flagship VR fitness platform acquired for $400 million in 2021

A message posted to the official Supernatural Facebook group suggests these changes aim to “help us work more efficiently on what the future of fitness could be,” indicating possible strategic redirection rather than complete abandonment of the fitness vertical.

Behind Meta’s Reality Labs Restructuring

Mixed Signals in Meta’s VR Strategy

Meta spokesperson Tracy Clayton explained the changes reflect structural shifts meant to improve efficiency in developing “future mixed reality experiences.” This carefully worded statement suggests:

A continued commitment to VR/AR development
Potential reallocation of resources toward more promising projects
Possible deprioritization of certain existing VR content

The Broader Context of Meta’s VR Challenges

These layoffs occur against a backdrop of:

Disappointing Quest headset sales, with the Quest 3S already seeing price cuts
Strong performance of Meta’s Ray-Ban smart glasses, exceeding expectations
Ongoing financial losses in Reality Labs, which reported $3.8 billion in operating losses in Q1 2024 alone

Analyzing the Implications

What This Means for the VR Industry

Content Development Slowdown: Fewer resources for Oculus Studios may mean fewer first-party VR titles
Strategic Reprioritization: Meta appears to be shifting focus from pure VR toward mixed reality
Hardware Uncertainty: Layoffs in hardware teams raise questions about future device roadmaps

The Supernatural Paradox

The treatment of Supernatural is particularly noteworthy:

Legal Victory: Meta successfully defended its acquisition against antitrust challenges
High Investment: The $400 million purchase was one of Meta’s largest VR content acquisitions
Current Downsizing: Despite this, the team is now facing cuts

Expert Perspectives on Meta’s Moves

Industry analysts suggest several interpretations:

Cost-Cutting Measure: Part of Zuckerberg’s efficiency drive amid massive Reality Labs losses
Strategic Pivot: Possibly reallocating resources toward AI integration in VR/AR
Market Realignment: Responding to slower-than-expected VR adoption rates

The Road Ahead for Meta’s Metaverse Vision

While these cuts might suggest wavering commitment, Meta maintains it’s still investing heavily in mixed reality. Key questions remain:

Will these efficiency moves accelerate profitability in Reality Labs?
How will content quality be affected by reduced development teams?
Does this signal a broader shift in Meta’s metaverse strategy?

One thing is clear: Meta continues to balance its ambitious long-term VR/AR goals with the financial realities of running a public company. These layoffs represent another adjustment in that delicate balancing act rather than a wholesale retreat from the metaverse vision.

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