OnePlus is Dead… (In the US)

The hosts say OnePlus is officially shutting down operations in the U.S., North America, and Europe, after earlier signs like canceled future devices (including a foldable and a flagship). They note OnePlus will continue in Asia and India, where they say it remains popular.

The conversation highlights that OnePlus’s software identity shifted when OxygenOS pivoted toward ColorOS; a speaker says users got mad, OnePlus changed the name back to OxygenOS, but it was “basically still ColorOS.” They add the transition will now be made more explicit again under ColorOS branding.

A speaker summarizes that Google was ordered to carry other app stores inside Google Play for several years, stemming from the Google versus Epic trial. They also describe the judge learning Epic and Google tried to work out a settlement involving Epic buying $800 million of Google services in exchange for cooperation, which the judge found concerning but allowed.

They expect this Play Store change to launch “next Wednesday” (the 22nd) and discuss likely outcomes: users still downloading alternate stores via Google Play, and the default-store advantage making Play Store like a “download other browsers” hub. They also speculate that lower store cuts could theoretically pressure Google’s cut downward.

They describe alleged details from Apple’s lawsuit claiming OpenAI sought unreleased-product information from former Apple employees and recruits, including allegations of “show-and-tell sessions” where candidates brought actual parts, and a checklist to circumvent security procedures. They also discuss the broader gray area between carrying expertise/contacts versus taking trade secrets, while emphasizing the alleged actions go beyond that gray area.