Top stories
- OpenAI announced a $100/month ChatGPT Pro tier that offers “5x more” usage of its Codex coding tool compared with the $20 Plus plan, aimed at power users and heavier coding workloads (Apr 9, 2026).
- Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier is launching an investigation into OpenAI, citing public-safety and national-security concerns and alleging possible links to a past FSU shooting; the probe will examine alleged harms including to minors (Apr 9, 2026).
- The Electronic Frontier Foundation says it will stop posting on X, blaming a sharp decline in views on the platform and joining other organizations that have left (Apr 9, 2026).
AI & policy
- Product: The new $100 ChatGPT Pro fills a pricing gap between existing tiers and increases Codex allocation for heavy coding use; coverage notes this is aimed at more intensive developer workflows (sources below).
- Regulation & risk: Florida’s probe into OpenAI frames AI policy as an immediate legal and public-safety issue; the investigation is ongoing and allegations are under review, not legal findings.
Developer notes
- If relying on Codex-heavy workflows, the new Pro tier may offer materially higher monthly capacity; teams should re-evaluate cost vs. usage needs given the new option.
- Keep an eye on policy developments: state-level investigations can affect compliance expectations and platform behavior for model providers.
Deals & hardware
- Smartwatches: Apple’s recent models (Series 11, SE 3, Ultra 3) and Samsung’s Galaxy Watch 8 (now starting at about $260) are showing discounts and deal coverage as retailers clear inventory or promote upgrades.
Business & legal
- John Deere agreed to pay $99 million to settle a class-action right-to-repair lawsuit that alleged the company blocked farmers and mechanics from accessing repair materials.
- Volkswagen is shifting U.S. strategy, dropping the all-electric ID.4 from the U.S. lineup as its factory focuses on the Atlas SUV (pivot back toward gas SUVs).
- Startup lesson: Anjuna’s story is a recent case study on rapid hiring, layoffs, and recovery—founders can learn from its scaling and retrenchment choices.
Key takeaways
- OpenAI added a $100 Pro tier to serve heavier Codex/coding users.
- Expect policy scrutiny to shape provider behavior; Florida has opened an investigation into OpenAI.
- Platform shifts continue: advocacy groups leaving X and automakers pivoting product strategy.
- Hardware deals (smartwatches) offer buying windows for consumers.
Sources
- ChatGPT has a new $100 per month Pro subscription (The Verge, Apr 9, 2026): https://www.theverge.com/ai-artificial-intelligence/909599/chatgpt-pro-subscription-new
- ChatGPT finally offers $100/month Pro plan (TechCrunch, Apr 9, 2026): https://techcrunch.com/2026/04/09/chatgpt-pro-plan-100-month-codex/
- Florida launches investigation into OpenAI (The Verge, Apr 9, 2026): https://www.theverge.com/policy/909557/openai-florida-investigation
- Florida AG to probe OpenAI, alleging possible connection to FSU shooting (TechCrunch, Apr 9, 2026): https://techcrunch.com/2026/04/09/florida-ag-to-probe-openai-alleging-possible-connection-to-fsu-shooting/
- The EFF is quitting X (The Verge, Apr 9, 2026): https://www.theverge.com/tech/909550/eff-electronic-frontier-foundation-leaving-x-twitter
- EFF is the latest organization to leave X (TechCrunch, Apr 9, 2026): https://techcrunch.com/2026/04/09/eff-is-the-latest-organization-to-leave-x/
- John Deere will pay farmers $99 million over right-to-repair lawsuit (The Verge, Apr 9, 2026): https://www.theverge.com/policy/909524/john-deere-class-action-settlement-farmers
- Here are the best Apple Watch deals available right now (The Verge, Apr 9, 2026): https://www.theverge.com/21289209/best-apple-watch-deals
- Samsung’s Galaxy Watch 8 is easier to recommend now it starts at $260 (The Verge, Apr 9, 2026): https://www.theverge.com/gadgets/909502/samsung-galaxy-watch-8-classic-deal-sale
- What founders can learn from Anjuna’s layoffs and recovery (TechCrunch, Apr 9, 2026): https://techcrunch.com/2026/04/09/what-founders-can-learn-from-anjunas-layoffs-and-recovery/
- Volkswagen drops all-electric ID.4 in the US in pivot back to gas SUVs (TechCrunch, Apr 9, 2026): https://techcrunch.com/2026/04/09/volkswagen-drops-all-electric-id-4-in-the-us-in-pivot-back-to-gas-suvs/
- NASA’s Artemis II mission to fly around the far side of the Moon (The Verge): https://www.theverge.com/2019/7/19/20700565/nasa-artemis-moon-return-landing
Disclaimer
Not financial/professional advice.