Sharp Tech with Ben Thompson (Preview) New iPhones and an Absence of Awe, How Oracle Wins in the AI Era, Questions on MidJourney, Meta, and Armageddon
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Sep 12, 2025 The hosts dive into the excitement surrounding the new iPhones, revealing how fan reactions reflect deeper issues in Apple's long-term strategy. They dissect Oracle's impressive gains in the AI space and question the logic behind investments in Meta’s Reality Labs. Insights on Midjourney's impact on generative AI are shared, alongside musings about Netflix's potential shifts towards a Disney-like model. The conversation wraps up with a lighthearted critique of doomsayers, blending tech insights with wit.
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Apple Still Builds Advanced Tech
- Apple remains a technology company but focuses on technologies most consumers care little about today.
- Their technical excellence (chips, miniaturization) persists even as market excitement wanes.
Thin Design As Technical R&D
- The iPhone Air's design work (compressing compute into a camera module) is a learning exercise that yields future advantages.
- Miniaturization experiments pay off later even if the immediate product has niche appeal.
Choose Function Over Thinness
- If you prioritize battery and heat management, choose devices that trade thinness for larger modules and batteries.
- Preference for practical tool-like devices justifies picking Pro or thicker models over fashion-focused thinness.