Phones, Models, and the Locus of Power

The DoorDash problem just became Amazon's problem. Perplexity's Comet browser is allegedly stealthily shopping on the internet's largest mall, and the folks in Seattle want it to stop. It's just one example of the fast-moving power dynamics on the internet, as AI companies try to change the way we search, shop, and do everything else. Lots of companies are not going to settle for being dumb databases, and Nilay and David discuss how this fight might play out. After that, the hosts talk about the reports of an impending cheaper Mac with an iPhone chip, and whether that might mark Apple's true return to consumer laptops — or be something else entirely. Finally, in the lightning round, they talk Brendan Carr, late-night shows, party speakers, and sonic logos. Lots and lots of sonic logos.

Further reading:

• Amazon and Perplexity have kicked off the great AI web browser fight 

• WEB WAR III 

• Apple is planning to use a custom version of Google Gemini for Apple Intelligence 

• OpenAI launches its Sora app on Android 

• Perplexity is going to power AI search in Snapchat. 

• Easier access to AI Mode, if that’s your thing. 

• Google Gemini’s Deep Research can look into your emails, drive, and chats 

• Google Maps taps Gemini AI to transform into an ‘all-knowing copilot’ 

• Amazon is building Alexa Plus into its Music app 

• The AI industry is running on FOMO 

• Apple is reportedly working on a cheaper Mac laptop with an iPhone chip 

• iOS 26.1 lets you tweak Liquid Glass, and it’s out now 

• YouTube wants a piece of the late-night TV pie. 

• Apple TV’s new name now comes with a new sound 

• Brendan Carr votes to eliminate cybersecurity requirements

• Epic and Google agree to settle their lawsuit and change Android’s fate globally 

• I’m amused by how Google is complying with the Epic injunction. 

• xAI used employee biometric data to train Elon Musk’s AI girlfriend 

• Into the Huluverse: The sonic evolution of Hulu

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