TechCrunch Daily Crunch Apple unveils new MacBook Air and MacBook Pro with M5
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Mar 4, 2026 News of ChatGPT uninstalls surging after a DoD deal sparks a shift toward alternatives. A rival AI app sees growth as safety and ethics debates heat up. X launches a standalone chat app for iOS, raising questions about encryption and missing features. Apple reveals new M5 MacBook Air and Pro models built for AI workloads with upgraded batteries, cameras, and performance claims.
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ChatGPT Uninstalls Spiked After DoD Deal
- ChatGPT mobile uninstalls spiked 295% after OpenAI's Department of Defense deal news, revealing rapid user backlash.
- SensorTower showed typical daily uninstall rate was ~9%, and downloads fell 13% day-over on Saturday after the announcement.
Anthropic Gained Users By Rejecting DoD Partnership
- Competitor app Claude saw downloads rise (37% then 51%) and hit #1 on the U.S. App Store as users shifted away from ChatGPT.
- Anthropic explicitly cited refusal to partner with the U.S. Defense Department as a differentiator that resonated with users.
X Tests Standalone XChat App With Rapid Beta Signups
- X is launching a standalone XChat app via TestFlight with a 1,000-user beta that filled in two hours.
- Early testers shared screenshots showing a simpler interface, a starry login screen, and absent message requests being rebuilt.