Epic Games has settled its antitrust lawsuit against Samsung, marking a surprising turn in the Fortnite maker’s expanding battle to dismantle what it calls a “duopoly” of app store control by Google and its close partners.

Filed in September 2024, the case accused Samsung of colluding with Google to suppress competition in mobile app distribution — primarily through the deployment of its controversial “Auto Blocker” feature that restricts installations of apps from outside the Galaxy and Google Play Stores.

On Monday, Epic voluntarily dismissed nine of its antitrust claims in a U.S. court filing, following what it described as constructive discussions with Samsung.

“We’re dismissing our court case against Samsung following the parties’ discussions,” Epic CEO Tim Sweeney posted on X. “We are grateful that Samsung will address Epic’s concerns.”

Though no specific terms of the settlement were made public, legal analysts believe the agreement likely involves tweaks to the way Samsung handles app installations from alternative sources.

The settlement ends one chapter in Epic’s broader offensive against what it sees as illegal app store monopolies — an effort that has already seen a major win against Google, and a mixed outcome in a previous case against Apple. Epic has also launched its own mobile app store and has pushed to expand third-party distribution globally.

What the Case Was About

Epic’s lawsuit against Samsung centered on the Auto Blocker feature, which was turned on by default on Galaxy devices and created a complex, 21-step process for users to install apps from outside Samsung’s and Google’s stores. Epic alleged this amounted to a deliberate obstruction designed to limit user choice and punish competition, particularly after a U.S. jury found Google guilty of illegally monopolizing Android app distribution in December 2023.

Samsung denied wrongdoing at the time, calling Epic’s suit “baseless” and saying its security features were designed solely to protect users from malware and unsafe apps. Google also dismissed Epic’s allegations as meritless, emphasizing that Android partners like Samsung are free to make independent decisions on app safety mechanisms.

However, the timing of Epic’s lawsuit—just months after it won the historic jury verdict against Google—suggested the company was intent on ensuring that judgment would not be undermined by workarounds. Epic claimed Samsung’s actions effectively nullified the legal win by maintaining the status quo in app distribution, particularly in key U.S. markets where Galaxy phones hold a significant market share.

What’s in the Settlement?

Epic did not disclose the terms of the agreement, but its decision to dismiss the suit without prejudice — meaning it can revive the claims later — suggests Samsung has committed to certain changes. Legal observers speculate that Samsung may agree to either disable Auto Blocker by default, offer an opt-in mechanism, or establish a fair and transparent whitelisting process for third-party app stores.

The resolution also arrives just days before Samsung’s highly anticipated Galaxy Unpacked event, sparking industry chatter that Epic’s game store could be preinstalled on new Samsung devices, or at the very least, made more accessible through device settings.

This wouldn’t be the first time Samsung has cooperated with Epic in app distribution. In 2018, Fortnite was initially available for Android exclusively through Samsung’s Galaxy Store before being released more broadly.

The Samsung case was just one front in Epic’s long-running campaign to break the dominance of tech giants over app distribution. The company began its war against gatekeeper app stores in 2020 by suing both Apple and Google over their 30% commissions and tight control over in-app payments.

While Epic lost much of its case against Apple, the firm scored a significant legal victory against Google in December 2023 when a California jury found the company had violated antitrust laws. The verdict compelled Google to open its Play Store to rival marketplaces, but enforcement of the ruling remains in limbo as the company appeals.

In suing Samsung, Epic sought to ensure that Google’s alleged antitrust violations were not merely replicated through strategic partnerships.

Sweeney is not optimistic that change will be immediate.

“If Google is obstructing a vertical remedy through appeals and isn’t offering an awesome deal,” Sweeney said in 2023.

What Changes Could Be Coming?

According to the filing, Epic retains the right to refile the case if Samsung fails to follow through on its commitments. At the same time, the broader legal landscape is still shifting. Google’s appeal of the jury verdict is pending, and lawmakers in Washington are revisiting legislation to curb app store monopolies, particularly on Android.

The outcome of the Samsung dispute may also influence other manufacturers. If Samsung agrees to open up its devices to third-party app stores, other OEMs like Xiaomi, Oppo, and Vivo may face similar pressures — especially in regions where regulators are growing more assertive in policing digital market competition.

Though Epic’s agreement with Samsung lacked the courtroom drama of its battles with Apple and Google, it could have significant implications. By reaching a compromise outside court, Epic may be setting a precedent for how it wants other companies to cooperate — not with monetary damages, but with structural changes that promote open access.

At a time when developers are pushing for greater visibility, lower fees, and direct relationships with users, Samsung’s willingness to settle may reflect a growing recognition among manufacturers that the old gatekeeping models are no longer defensible — legally, politically, or commercially.

OpenAI is quietly piloting a new feature in ChatGPT called “Study Together,” signaling a major shift in how the AI tool is being positioned for educational use.

Though not yet officially announced, several ChatGPT users have begun seeing the tool listed among their available features, raising intrigue and questions about its role in learning — and its potential to curb cheating while enhancing student engagement.

The new mode appears to offer a radical departure from the chatbot’s usual behavior. Instead of providing instant answers to user prompts, Study Together prompts users with questions and asks them to work through problems on their own — emulating the role of a tutor rather than a search engine.

OpenAI has not issued a formal statement about the feature. When asked, ChatGPT itself replied, “OpenAI hasn’t officially announced when or if Study Together will be available to all users — or if it will require ChatGPT Plus.”

According to early user reports, Study Together feels less like a typical chatbot session and more like being quizzed by a patient study partner. The AI refrains from offering direct solutions too quickly and instead nudges the learner toward deeper understanding, possibly drawing inspiration from Google’s LearnLM and Anthropic’s education-focused version of Claude, which also use similar Socratic approaches.

The strategy here is deliberate: encourage learning and discourage shortcuts. With generative AI already being criticized for enabling academic dishonesty — helping students write essays, generate math solutions, or circumvent assignments — OpenAI appears to be experimenting with ways to channel the tool toward ethical and constructive learning behavior.

For example, ChatGPT may ask users to work through a math problem, explain their thinking on a historical topic, or write short summaries in their own words before giving any feedback or suggestions. This interactive approach could prove effective in developing critical thinking skills and reducing dependence on AI as a crutch.

Early Signs of Broader Educational Intent

Some users speculate that the tool could eventually evolve to include group study capabilities, allowing multiple users to participate in a single session — turning ChatGPT into a kind of AI-hosted virtual study room. While OpenAI has yet to confirm such features, the idea aligns with a growing trend in AI-powered education: making learning collaborative, responsive, and adaptive.

Topics currently dominating ChatGPT’s educational use include finance, stocks, sports, politics, and science, according to Similarweb data. However, interest in deeper subject engagement across areas like literature, history, economics, and philosophy is reportedly growing.

The release of Study Together comes at a time when ChatGPT has already become a fixture in academic settings. Teachers are using it for lesson planning, students treat it like a study companion — and in some cases, an AI ghostwriter. The blurred lines have sparked concern across universities and school boards, prompting calls for tools that promote responsible use.

As ChatGPT has been accused of making it too easy for students to cheat and creating a technology that is “killing higher education,” Study Together may be OpenAI’s way of taking that critique seriously — by embedding pedagogical principles into the product itself.

Still in Testing — But Momentum Is Building

As of now, the Study Together feature is limited to a subset of users, likely those on the ChatGPT Plus plan. Its interface and capabilities may evolve in the coming months, especially as OpenAI gears up for more platform integrations and potentially the rollout of GPT-5.

Observers note that OpenAI has recently been testing a series of experimental features tied to Gmail, Slack, and calendar integration — and that Study Together may be part of a broader shift toward task-specific, modular AI tools that fit distinct user needs.

By subtly shifting ChatGPT from an answer bot into an educational mentor, OpenAI is testing not only a new feature — but a new ethos. If Study Together proves successful, it could serve as a model for how generative AI can support rather than undermine the learning process.

The key challenge, however, will be making the mode available at scale while maintaining quality, and convincing users — particularly students — that they’ll get more out of grappling with knowledge than simply outsourcing it.

So far, OpenAI has kept mum on the future of Study Together. But based on what’s emerging, it could become a defining feature in how ChatGPT is used in classrooms and dorm rooms around the world.

ByteDance is moving to launch a separate US-specific version of its popular video-editing app, CapCut, as pressure mounts under the 2024 divestment law requiring the Chinese company to split from its American operations or face an outright ban.

The upcoming version, named “CapCut US,” will separate American users from ByteDance’s global platform, marking another major development in the company’s broader restructuring to comply with US demands.

According to documentation reviewed by Business Insider, the company is preparing to reconfigure CapCut for American users, essentially rebuilding the app as a stand-alone product. The move is reportedly part of a broader strategy that includes a similar plan to spin off a US-only version of TikTok. ByteDance has not publicly commented on the restructuring efforts, but the shift indicates that the company is trying to preempt enforcement actions while continuing to operate its apps in the lucrative US market.

The development comes just days after President Donald Trump confirmed he had identified a group of wealthy American investors interested in acquiring TikTok. Speaking to Fox News in late June, Trump said he was backing the bid and noted that discussions with China about the proposed sale could begin as soon as this week. A deal would require approval from both US and Chinese regulators, a hurdle that has previously derailed similar transactions under the former administration.

Trump’s announcement and ByteDance’s push to separate its US-facing apps also follow the Supreme Court’s January decision that upheld the divestment law. After the ruling, Trump temporarily halted enforcement, allowing ByteDance more time to restructure or find acceptable buyers for its American assets.

CapCut’s Critical Role in ByteDance’s US Strategy

CapCut, which has been downloaded over 1 billion times globally via Google Play and holds the number one spot in Apple’s US App Store in the photo and video category, is far more than a TikTok companion app. It has become a vital tool for content creators, influencers, and digital marketers, offering viral video templates and seamless integration with TikTok and other platforms.

The decision to develop “CapCut US” suggests ByteDance sees the app as strategically valuable and is eager to ensure its continued presence in the American market. However, the logistics of splitting the platform remain complex. It’s unclear if the US-only version will continue to offer the same global content library, algorithmic editing features, and syncing capabilities that have driven its popularity — or if it will be a scaled-back experience due to national security constraints.

TikTok’s US Clone Also in the Works

ByteDance’s parallel efforts to launch a US-only TikTok app — reported by The Information — reflect the same urgency. Creating standalone US versions of its flagship apps could potentially allow ByteDance to sidestep the full divestiture of assets and remain active in the market, depending on how regulators interpret compliance.

Still, many legal and regulatory questions linger. For example, would the US versions of TikTok and CapCut still share data or algorithms with ByteDance’s core operations in China? Would the new apps be governed independently, with different ownership structures, or would they simply serve as rebranded shells?

ByteDance has yet to reveal whether it will similarly spin off other apps like Lemon8 — its Instagram-style platform — or Gauth, its educational tool, both of which are also covered under the divestment mandate.

ByteDance’s challenge now extends beyond regulatory compliance — it must also convince users to make the switch. That may be difficult as rivals like YouTube and Meta move aggressively to capitalize on uncertainty. YouTube has expanded its Shorts platform with enhanced editing tools, while Meta’s CapCut-like app, Edits, is climbing in the App Store rankings.

In an ecosystem where creators are constantly seeking speed, innovation, and reach, convincing them to migrate to “CapCut US” could be a tough sell — especially if functionality or content access is limited compared to the global version.

A Test Case for Broader Decoupling

The launch of CapCut US and TikTok’s American counterpart may serve as test cases for whether the US government — and consumers — will accept tech decoupling as a viable solution to national security concerns. At the same time, the moves signal ByteDance’s willingness to compromise if it means preserving access to the massive and influential US market.

Whether this strategy satisfies lawmakers or leads to further scrutiny, will depend on the terms of any eventual sale and the transparency of ByteDance’s restructuring.

However, the rollout of CapCut US and its reception by American users — could offer an early glimpse into what a fragmented global tech landscape looks like under intensifying geopolitical pressure.