Apps

Fortnite skips the Google Play Store

Will come directly to Android from Epic Games

Published

August 4, 2018

Luigi Leonardo

For several months, Fortnite has taken the gaming industry by storm. Millions of gamers across most platforms have already claimed millions of dollars in sales for Epic Games.

Throughout those months, however, Epic Games lacked the one platform that would catapult them to near-astronomical heights — Android. Still, rumors have continuously hinted that the game will come to Android soon.

Thankfully, that rumor will soon turn into a reality. Sadly, that truth comes with a steep price. According to Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney, Fortnite will not come to the Google Play store.

Instead, Epic Games will turn to their own website and app to distribute their hit game.

The move mimics their strategy on the PC. On that platform, Epic Games skipped the ubiquitous Steam or the alternative GOG.com. Instead, Fortnite uses the developers’ own Epic Games Launcher.

For other platforms, Epic Games was forced to use official stores. For example, Sony and Apple require games to use the PlayStation Store and the App Store, respectively.

Despite the Play Store’s expansive reach, Epic Games has opted out of the store because of Google’s steep tax cut. For all sales through the game, Google has demanded 30 percent for distributor fees. With Fortnite’s current sales numbers, that 30 percent take can result to hundreds of thousands of dollars.

More than Epic Games’ own numbers, the move can also echo across the entire Android ecosystem. Fortnite’s gigantic popularity can push independent distribution as a viable strategy for other apps.

However, the move also exposes Fortnite (and all who follow in its footsteps) to outside threats. For example, malware producers can push their own products disguised as Fortnite.

Even then, gamers might not get the game for a while. Samsung has reportedly entered into an exclusive 120-day contract with the game. With that contract, Fortnite may come to Android exclusively on Samsung’s phone for 120 days.

Other than that, Epic Games distribution strategies are still unconventional. One thing’s for sure: If you want to get Fortnite on Android, you’ll have to go through Epic Games to get it.

Related Topics:Android Fortnite Google Play Samsung

Apps

ChatGPT will soon allow NSFW conversations

The platform will start age-gating users in December.

Published

October 16, 2025

Luigi Leonardo

Every day, we inch closer and closer to the strange reality of Joaquin Phoenix’s Her. Today’s AI-powered chatbots have inevitably adapted to address our more carnal desires. Some, such as those offered by xAI, are even explicitly designed to only flirt with the user. Soon, ChatGPT will offer the same thing: a way for adult users to… well, be adults.

Through a post on X, OpenAI’s Sam Altman reiterated ChatGPT’s impending drive to introduce age-gating in December. Keeping younger users from the platform will open ChatGPT to more “mature” conversations. Altman specifically names “erotica” as one of the potential uses of a looser platform.

We made ChatGPT pretty restrictive to make sure we were being careful with mental health issues. We realize this made it less useful/enjoyable to many users who had no mental health problems, but given the seriousness of the issue we wanted to get this right.

Now that we have…

— Sam Altman (@sama) October 14, 2025

Additionally, ChatGPT is rolling out an update which will make the platform more personable and comparable to actual conversations. This includes using more emojis or talking like a friend.

The platform is also adding more safeguards when it comes to mental health issues, given that more people are using it as a makeshift therapist. Recently, Altman made sure that ChatGPT treated mental health with more delicateness. To some, especially those without such issues, the platform became more unusable. To bring back how it used to be, the platform will add better tools to detect whether the user is in “mental distress.”

Finally, OpenAI is implementing a backend solution to mental health by creating a new council of researchers and experts to accurately determine the impact of AI on mental health. Currently, it’s still unknown how much this new technology is helping (or harming) our wellbeing.

Apps

YouTube is getting a redesign

The update looks a bit like Liquid Glass.

Published

October 15, 2025

Luigi Leonardo

What’s your favorite YouTube design? I still hold a bit of nostalgia for the silver era, but the practicality of the current minimalist design is remarkable. Now, it’s time for a change. YouTube is refreshing its design starting this week.

Much like Apple with Liquid Glass, YouTube is going for a more transparent approach. The new design lets more content through the interface. It also features rounder buttons, in contrast to today’s blockier features.

The comments section is also getting a bit of an upgrade to allow for more structure between original posts and replies.

For engagement with actual videos, some videos will now have custom like animations. The update gives an example of a music video which puts out a musical note when liked. Adding a video to a custom playlist or the Watch Later list is also more natural.

YouTube is rolling out these updates starting this week. It will also be available for web, mobile, and TV users.

Apps

ChatGPT Go now available in the Philippines, more Asian countries

Access to more popular ChatGPT features for an affordable subscription plan

Published

October 9, 2025

GadgetMatch

Graphics by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch

OpenAI has officially launched ChatGPT Go in 16 Asian countries, including the Philippines. This is the most cost-friendly subscription option yet at just PhP 300 (~ US$ 5.15).

This development gives users in the serviced regions greater access to ChatGPT’s advanced capabilities at a more affordable price.

To get started, simply visit chat.openai.com or download the ChatGPT mobile app, then create an account and select ChatGPT Go as your plan. The payment process is simple.

On the other hand, those who already have accounts may simply upgrade to Go.

The launch comes amid strong growth adoption of OpenAI’s tools in the Philippines. In fact, the country ranks among the top five countries for weekly ChatGPT users in Asia.

In addition, the top five use cases locally are tutoring, editing, personal writing, “how to” advice, and creative ideation.

At PhP 300 a month, ChatGPT Go subscribers will gain access to ChatGPT’s most popular features, including higher message limits, image generation, file uploads, and memory.

These are all powered by GPT-5, OpenAI’s most-advanced model.

Specifically, here’s the perks for the Go plan compared to free:

10x higher message limits
10x more image generations per day
10x more file or image uploads per day
2x longer memory for personalized responses

ChatGPT Go will join existing subscription options Plus (PhP 1,100) and Pro (PhP 9,900).

Plus is for subscribers who need more advanced thinking models and features like deep research, agent mode, and Sora video creation.

Meanwhile, Pro is for professionals, researchers, or organizations who need enterprise-grade scale, pro-level reasoning, and the most advanced features.