Software
OpenAI launches $100/month ChatGPT Pro tier to rival Anthropic
New subscription offers significantly more Codex usage for heavy coding tasks.
MUMBAI: OpenAI has just raised the stakes in the AI coding arms race by giving power users a much bigger slice of the pie. The company has introduced a new $100-per-month ChatGPT Pro subscription tier, aimed squarely at competing with Anthropic in the fast-growing AI coding space. The new plan provides five times more Codex usage than the existing $20 Plus tier and is specifically designed for longer, high-effort coding sessions.
According to OpenAI’s announcement on X, the Pro tier will continue to include access to all existing Pro features, including its exclusive Pro model and unlimited usage of Instant and Thinking models. As part of a limited-time promotion running until 31 May, new subscribers to the $100 plan will receive up to ten times the Codex usage of ChatGPT Plus to support more ambitious development projects.
The company also noted that the current Codex promotion for Plus users will end, with usage being rebalanced to allow more frequent sessions throughout the week rather than heavy daily limits. The $20 Plus plan will remain the main offering for everyday use, while the new $100 tier targets heavier, more consistent workloads.
OpenAI’s broader subscription lineup continues to include a $200 Pro tier, an $8 Go plan, and a free tier. Earlier this week, CEO Sam Altman revealed that the Codex AI coding agent had reached three million users, with usage limits reset at every million-user milestone.
The launch closely mirrors Anthropic’s pricing structure, which includes a Max 5x tier at $100 per month and a Max 20x tier at $200 per month. The move comes amid reports that OpenAI has initiated a “code red” internal strategy to counter Anthropic’s growing dominance in AI coding tools. The company is shifting focus toward professional developer tools while reportedly scaling back or pausing other projects, including further development of its Sora video generator.
OpenAI has also confirmed plans to build a desktop “superapp” that integrates ChatGPT, Codex, and its Atlas AI browser into a single unified platform.
In the competitive world of AI coding assistants, OpenAI is clearly signalling it won’t be outspent or outbuilt. With the new $100 Pro tier, the company is giving serious developers more firepower and sending a clear message to rivals that the race is far from over.
Software
Google eases Android sideloading with new safeguards
Users can now disable app verification after added security steps.
MUMBAI: Google just cracked open the Play Store’s back door because when you want more freedom, even the strictest bouncer has to let you sneak in a few extra apps. Google has introduced a revamped sideloading process for Android that gives users greater flexibility to install apps outside the Play Store while adding stronger safeguards against fraud and coercion.
Under the new flow, users must first enable developer mode, complete a verification step confirming they are acting independently, restart the device and re-authenticate. A mandatory one-day waiting period follows before changes can be finalised using biometric authentication or a PIN. Once complete, users can choose temporary (7-day) or permanent sideloading, with persistent warning messages still displayed.
The update addresses scam tactics where fraudsters stay on calls to guide victims through disabling protections. The enforced delay and restart help terminate remote access.
Alongside the changes, Google is offering free, limited distribution accounts for students and hobby developers, allowing apps to be shared with up to 20 users without ID verification or fees.
The move follows the global settlement of Google’s long-running antitrust dispute with Epic Games. As part of the agreement, Google reduced its in-app purchase commission to 20 per cent (plus an additional 5 per cent for developers using its billing system) and introduced expanded billing options, a registered app stores programme and revised fee structures.
In a mobile world where “openness” often comes with fine print, Google is walking a tightrope handing users the keys to sideloading while making sure no one gets tricked into handing over theirs. The new flow isn’t just about installing apps, it’s about installing trust, one deliberate step at a time.
