Weekly Tech Roundup #16/2025: Beats Wires, iPhone Updates, OnePlus Innovations, Chipolo Pop, Switch 2, and OpenAI’s Social Platform

If you’re overwhelmed by tech notifications this week, fear not! We’ve compiled the most interesting and unusual tech stories to catch you up. From overpriced cables to a customs saga involving Apple, there’s plenty to talk about in this week’s tech news roundup (#16 for 2025).

Highlights of the Week in Tech

Beats Cables: An Unintended Fashion Statement

The Beats brand, known for its iconic headphones, is stepping into the world of accessories with its new range of USB-C cables. These cables, which boast eye-catching names like “Bolt Black” and “Nitro Navy,” are designed to be stylish yet functional. They measure 5 feet in length and support 60W charging. However, there’s a catch: they are priced three times higher than similar products from brands like Anker, which makes them more of an impulsive airport purchase than a smart buy. Additionally, they only support USB 2.0 data transfer speeds, which is quite limited by today’s standards.

Apple’s Customs Triumph in the Ongoing Tariff War

This week, the United States introduced new tariffs focusing on China and its semiconductor sector. Apple, which relies heavily on Chinese manufacturing, was initially set to bear the brunt of these tariffs. CEO Tim Cook seems to have navigated this challenge, as iPhones are currently exempt from the impending price increases. However, experts caution this could be just a temporary reprieve, and future changes in tariffs might lead to price hikes sooner than expected.

OnePlus Watch 3: A Price Jump Fueled by a Typo

Initially priced at $329, the OnePlus Watch 3 smartwatch took an unexpected turn when a crucial labeling error prompted its removal from shelves. It mistakenly read “meta in China” instead of the intended “made in China.” Upon its return, the watch’s price soared to $499, without any clarification from the company. Whether this is a marketing ploy or a reflection of production issues remains uncertain, but those who bought it earlier now own a unique collector’s item with a defect.

Chipolo Pop: The Ultimate Multi-Network Tracker

Slovenian company Chipolo is redefining tracking devices with its new Chipolo Pop, which is noteworthy for its capability to work across both Apple’s and Google’s tracking networks, a first of its kind. However, users need to choose one network, as switching requires a reset. This device offers an impressive signal range of 100 meters, a battery life of a year, and even IP55 water resistance. With features that allow it to trigger camera functions remotely, it might just outpace Apple’s AirTags.

TikTok Introduces “Footnotes” to Combat Misinformation

In an effort to improve content accuracy, TikTok is launching a new feature called “Footnotes.” This allows users to provide comments and verified information on videos, aiming to curb the spread of misinformation. However, it remains to be seen whether users will take advantage of this feature or stick with their usual comment trends.

Nintendo Switch 2: Pre-orders Coming Soon

Excitement mounts as Nintendo prepares for the preorder launch of the highly anticipated Nintendo Switch 2, expected to kick off in Canada before rolling out to the U.S. Reports suggest that the price will remain the same during initial sales, indicating that Nintendo may not increase costs in response to tariffs, which could be a relief for gamers.

Meta’s Monopoly Battle in Court

Mark Zuckerberg is making headlines again as Meta faces a lawsuit from the FTC, accusing the company of monopolistic practices linked to its acquisitions of Instagram and WhatsApp. Zuckerberg’s defense hinges on claiming that Meta’s success does not equate to monopolistic behavior. The case could have significant implications for the future of the company.

OpenAI Ventures into Social Networking

OpenAI is reportedly developing a new social network aimed at sharing AI-generated content, including images from DALL·E and ChatGPT. The intention is to gather more data for training its models, although concerns about intellectual property rights and content ownership are already being raised.