(Preview) How Apple Changed the Cellular Economy, What SpaceX Wants to Do With Spectrum, Airlines and Carriers, Yann LeCun Departs Meta

Andrew and Ben analyze SpaceX's nearly $20 billion in purchases by first touching on cell carrier history and the power dynamics that iPhones upended 20 years ago. Then: Understanding the SpaceX business and Musk's approach to strategy, what Starlink is trying to do with satellite internet on airlines, a power play with cell carriers that appears to have failed earlier this year, and now, a Plan B that may involve an acquisition and a bid to partner with Apple. At the end: Why Yann LeCun leaving Meta is the right outcome for both sides, a question about big companies and innovation spawns regulation cautionary tales and a cigar anecdote, and wondering about the impact of big tech on AI's future.

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Why Do Carriers Subsidize the iPhone? — Stratechery (stratechery.com/2013/why-do-carriers-subsidize…)

SpaceX Buys More Spectrum, SpaceX’s Pivot, Why Apple and SpaceX Should Partner — Stratechery Update (stratechery.com/2025/spacex-buys-more-spectrum…)

SpaceX Buys Spectrum, Spectrum Specifics, SpaceX’s Big Bet — Stratechery Update (stratechery.com/2025/spacex-buys-spectrum-spec…)

An Interview with Unity CEO Matthew Bromberg About Turnarounds — Stratechery Interview (stratechery.com/2025/an-interview-with-unity-c…)

Meta chief AI scientist Yann LeCun plans to exit and launch own start-up — Financial Times (ft.com/content/c586eb77-a16e-4363-ab0b-e877898…)

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