OpenAI has announced a new version of its ChatGPT Pro subscription that costs $100 per month. The new Pro tier offers “5x more” usage of its Codex coding tool than the $20 per month Plus subscription and “is best for longer, high-effort Codex sessions,” OpenAI says.

The company is introducing the new tier as it tries to win over users from Anthropic and its popular Claude Code tool. ChatGPT’s $100 per month option will directly compete with Anthropic’s “Max” tier for Claude, which costs the same price. It also offers a middle ground between the $20 per month Plus tier and the $200 version of the Pro tier.

(Yes, there are now two tiers of “Pro”; while the new tier “still offers access to all Pro features,” OpenAI says that the more expensive one has even higher usage limits.)

According to OpenAI, ChatGPT Plus will “will continue to be the best offer at $20 for steady, day-to-day usage of Codex, and the new $100 Pro tier offers a more accessible upgrade path for heavier daily use.” OpenAI also offers an $8 per month Go tier and a free tier.

For years, humanoid robots felt like something you watched on social media. Impressive, yes. Practical, not quite. That line just got blurry.

A new factory in China is now producing humanoid robots at a pace that feels closer to car manufacturing. One robot rolls off the line every 30 minutes.

That adds up to about 10,000 units a year. This is not a prototype phase anymore. This is real production.

Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy Report
Get my best tech tips, urgent security alerts and exclusive deals delivered straight to your inbox. For simple, real-world ways to spot scams early and stay protected, visit CyberGuy.com – trusted by millions who watch CyberGuy on TV daily. Plus, you’ll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide free when you join.

HOME ROBOT COOKS, CLEANS AND ORGANIZES YOUR LIFE
 

Inside China’s humanoid robot factory

The production line comes from a partnership between Leju Robotics and Dongfang Precision Science & Technology. What makes this facility stand out is how structured and repeatable the process has become.

There are 24 precision assembly stages. On top of that, 77 inspection steps check everything before a robot leaves the line. That level of testing matters because reliability has always been a weak spot for humanoid machines. Efficiency also jumped. The company says output improved by more than 50 percent compared to older production methods.

Then there is flexibility. The system can switch between robot models without shutting everything down. That means the same factory can serve multiple industries, from automotive to home appliances. This is how you move from cool tech to actual business.

Why humanoid robot production at 10,000 units matters

The robotics industry has reached a turning point. It is no longer enough to show what a robot can do. Companies now need to prove they can build them at scale.

That shift is showing up across the market.

• Agibot has already hit 10,000 units
• Unitree Robotics is planning a major expansion with new funding
• UBTECH Robotics is working to lower costs to below $20,000 per robot

Investors are watching production numbers closely. High output signals that a company can move beyond demos and into real deployment. It also shows confidence that there will be actual demand.

US TARGETS CHINESE ROBOTS OVER SECURITY FEARS
 

The shift to large-scale humanoid robot manufacturing

There is another important change here that is easy to miss. Companies are splitting roles. In this case, Leju Robotics focuses on design and software. Dongfang Precision Science & Technology handles production and scaling. This model looks a lot like how other tech industries evolved. One group builds the brain. Another builds the product at scale. That separation could speed things up across the entire robotics space.

What is still holding humanoid robots back

Even with all this progress, one big problem remains. Software. Building the body is getting easier. Teaching it how to function in the real world is still difficult. Homes, warehouses and public spaces are unpredictable. Objects vary in shape. Lighting changes. Tasks that seem simple for humans can confuse a machine. Factories can now produce thousands of robots. That does not guarantee those robots will be useful right away. The pressure is shifting toward AI developers to close that gap.

What this means to you

This might feel far removed from everyday life. It is not. As production ramps up, costs usually come down. That opens the door for more businesses to adopt humanoid robots. You could start seeing them in warehouses, retail environments or service roles sooner than expected. At the same time, this raises questions about jobs, safety and how comfortable people feel interacting with machines that look and move like humans. The speed of this shift is what stands out. What felt experimental last year is now moving toward mainstream deployment.

Take my quiz: How safe is your online security?

Think your devices and data are truly protected? Take this quick quiz to see where your digital habits stand. From passwords to Wi-Fi settings, you’ll get a personalized breakdown of what you’re doing right and what needs improvement. Take my quiz here: Cyberguy.com.

ARE ROBOTS COMING TO A MCDONALD’S NEAR YOU?
 

Kurt’s key takeaways

Humanoid robots are entering a new phase. The conversation is no longer about whether they can be built. It is about how quickly they can be produced and where they will actually work. Factories like this one in China are setting the pace. Now the rest of the industry has to keep up.

If humanoid robots become common in workplaces, where would you draw the line between helpful automation and going too far? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy Report
Get my best tech tips, urgent security alerts and exclusive deals delivered straight to your inbox. For simple, real-world ways to spot scams early and stay protected, visit CyberGuy.com – trusted by millions who watch CyberGuy on TV daily. Plus, you’ll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide free when you join.

Copyright 2026 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.

You see a charge you don’t recognize. It looks like it came from a trusted brand. Your instinct kicks in. You want to fix it quickly and move on. That’s exactly what happened to Dorothy.

After a simple text, she found herself on the phone with someone who sounded official, confident and completely convincing. Here’s how she described it:

“I received a text from APPLE Pay, which I don’t even use… It said an Apple Store in CA wants to charge me $144… If I have questions, I should call. DUH! I called and was speaking with the scammer.”

“I received a text from APPLE Pay, which I don’t even use… It said an Apple Store in CA wants to charge me $144… If I have questions, I should call. DUH! I called and was speaking with the scammer.”

— Dorothy

Advertisement

Within minutes, the situation escalated.

“He knew everything about me… He said I should take out $15,000… He said he was working with the FBI and the FDIC.”

That’s when the pressure really started. Dorothy told me this story when she joined me on my Beyond Connected podcast, and what happened next shows just how far these scams can go.

Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy Report
Get my best tech tips, urgent security alerts and exclusive deals delivered straight to your inbox. For simple, real-world ways to spot scams early and stay protected, visit CyberGuy.com – trusted by millions who watch CyberGuy on TV daily. Plus, you’ll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide free when you join.

10 WAYS TO PROTECT SENIORS FROM EMAIL SCAMS

How this Apple Pay text scam actually works

This scam follows a pattern that is becoming more common. It combines a fake alert with a live phone call designed to build trust fast.

Here’s what is happening behind the scenes:

Step 1: The fake charge alert

You get a text about a suspicious charge. It looks urgent. It often includes a number to call.

Step 2: You call the scammer

The number connects you directly to a criminal. They pose as Apple, your bank or even law enforcement.

Step 3: They build credibility

They may know your name, address or bank. That information often comes from past data breaches.

Step 4: They create fear and urgency

You are told your money is at risk. You need to act immediately.

Step 5: They control your next move

In Dorothy’s case, the scammer told her to withdraw $15,000 and lie to her bank about why.

“He said he would stay on the phone with me while I drove to the bank… If anyone asked, I should say I was buying a car.”

That is a major red flag.

PHISHING SCAM EXPLOITS APPLE MAIL ‘TRUSTED SENDER’ LABEL

The moment everything could have gone wrong

Dorothy drove to the bank with the scammer still on the phone. This is exactly what criminals want. They try to isolate you and keep control of the situation.

But something didn’t feel right.

“When I got to the bank, I recognized one of the employees and told her that I was uncomfortable… She said to hang up immediately.”

That decision changed everything.

The bank confirmed it was a scam. The calls kept coming from different numbers. Dorothy blocked them all. Fortunately, no money was lost.

Why the Apple Pay text scam feels so real

Scammers are getting better at one thing. They make you feel like you are solving a problem, not being scammed.

Here’s why this one works so well:

• It uses a trusted name like Apple Pay
• It creates urgency with a fake charge
• It moves quickly to a live conversation
• It uses real personal details to build trust
• It pressures you to act before you think

They also add authority. Claiming ties to the FBI or FDIC makes people feel like they must comply. In reality, no legitimate agency will ever ask you to move money this way.

The biggest red flags to watch for

If you remember nothing else, remember these:

• A text about a charge that tells you to call a number
• Someone is asking you to withdraw large amounts of cash
• Instructions to lie to your bank or keep a secret
• Claims that your money needs to be “protected”
• Pressure to act immediately

Each one is a warning sign. Together, they confirm it is a scam.

How to stay safe from Apple Pay text scams

You do not need to outsmart scammers. You just need to slow the situation down.

1) Never trust the number in the message

If you get a suspicious text, do not call the number provided. Look up the official number yourself.

2) Pause before you act

Scammers rely on urgency. Take a moment. Real companies will not rush you like this.

3) Never move money on someone else’s instructions

No bank, tech company or government agency will ask you to withdraw cash to “protect” it.

4) Use strong antivirus software

Strong antivirus software can help detect malicious links, block scam websites and warn you before you engage with risky content. Get my picks for the best 2026 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices at Cyberguy.com.

5) Remove your personal data from the web

Scammers often use data from breaches to sound convincing. A data removal service can help reduce your exposure and limit what criminals can find about you online. Check out my top picks for data removal services and get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web by visiting Cyberguy.com.

6) Talk to someone you trust

A quick conversation with a friend, family member or bank employee can stop a scam cold.

7) Add extra protection

Consider identity monitoring services that alert you if your information is being misused. See my tips and best picks on Best Identity Theft Protection at Cyberguy.com.

What to do if this happens to you

Even if you did not lose money, take a few steps right away:

• Contact your bank using the number on your card
• Place a fraud alert on your credit
• Consider freezing your credit
• Monitor your accounts closely
• Block any follow-up calls or texts

These steps help protect you from future attempts.

What this means for you

This scam did not begin with a complex hack. Instead, it started with a simple text. That is what makes it so dangerous. At first, it looks routine. Then urgency takes over. As a result, anyone can feel pressured to act quickly and without thinking.

In many cases, the situation feels real. That is how people get pulled into a conversation that seems legitimate. In Dorothy’s case, she trusted her instincts at the right moment. Because of that decision, fortunately, she did not lose $15,000.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

Kurt’s key takeaways

Scammers target more than technology. They focus on human behavior. They create pressure, build trust and keep you engaged long enough to make a mistake. However, you can break the cycle. A single pause can disrupt the scam. Asking one question can expose it. Even a quick conversation with someone you trust can stop it. If you’d like to hear more of Dorothy’s story, you can catch our full conversation on my Beyond Connected podcast at getbeyondconnected.com/

If you got a text like this right now, would you pause or would you call? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com.

Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy Report
Get my best tech tips, urgent security alerts and exclusive deals delivered straight to your inbox. For simple, real-world ways to spot scams early and stay protected, visit CyberGuy.com – trusted by millions who watch CyberGuy on TV daily. Plus, you’ll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide free when you join.

Copyright 2026 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.