Sharp Tech with Ben Thompson (Preview) How Apple Changed the Cellular Economy, What SpaceX Wants to Do With Spectrum, Airlines and Carriers, Yann LeCun Departs Meta
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Nov 14, 2025 Discover how SpaceX's massive spectrum purchases could reshape both satellite and earth-based internet strategies. Explore the disruption Apple created in the carrier landscape, turning cellular providers into commodities. Dive into the intriguing dynamics of why Apple didn't enter the wireless carrier business and how it secured iPhone sales through strategic carrier partnerships. Lastly, reflect on Yann LeCun's departure from Meta and what it means for innovation in big tech and AI's future.
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Kizik Shoes Evangelism
- Ben raves about Kizik shoes and how he evangelizes them to others after gifting one to a contractor.
- He uses this story to illustrate strong personal brand loyalty to certain D2C products.
From Harry's Back To Gillette
- Ben recounts trying Harry's razors, finding them terrible, and returning to Gillette despite D2C marketing appeal.
- He uses the experience to argue established brands often outperform trendy direct‑to‑consumer alternatives.
SpaceX's Massive Spectrum Bet
- SpaceX bought nearly $20 billion of wireless spectrum this year, aggregating major licenses from sellers like EchoStar and AT&T.
- The purchases position Starlink to play a larger role in terrestrial wireless and airline connectivity beyond pure satellite service.