Is the MacBook Neo the one? + Anthropic vs. DoD with Spencer Ackerman

About this episode

The episode discusses Apple's new MacBook Neo and features an interview with Spencer Ackerman about AI and military contracts.

It's been a wild week for Apple. After announcing a slew of new hardware, the company capped things off with its cheapest laptop ever: the $599 MacBook Neo. It's low on specs, but high on character and value. In this episode, Devindra and Engadget Deputy Editor Nathan Ingraham dive into the MacBook Neo, as well as the refreshed MacBook Air M5, MacBook Pro M5 Pro/Max and iPad Air M4. Also, Devindra chats with Spencer Ackerman, author of The Forever Wars and recent Iron Man comics, about the ongoing battle between Anthropic and the Department of Defense. It turns out the DOD still used Claude for attacks on Iran, after banning Anthropic'/s AI last week. And really, what do these AI companies expect to happen when they jump at military contracts? Apple announces a the MacBook Neo priced at $599 and it’s shockingly great – 0:53 MacBook Air got the M5, MacBook Pro got the M5 Pro and M5 Max, and who needs the new iPad Air now? – 22:31 Anthropic vs. DoD with Spencer Ackerman, author of The Forever Wars – 30:34 Gemini encouraged a man to end his own life to be with his ‘AI wife’ – 58:53 Polymarket nixes bets on nuclear detonation after public outcry – 1:01:55 No Yōtei on PC: Sony closes…

People in this episode

Hosts: Devindra, Nathan Ingraham

Guest: Spencer Ackerman

Topics covered

• Apple hardware announcements
• MacBook Neo review
• AI and military contracts
• Anthropic vs. DoD
• Tech industry news
• Pop culture

Keywords

• MacBook Neo
• Apple
• Spencer Ackerman
• Anthropic
• Department of Defense
• AI
• technology news
• MacBook Air
• iPad Air

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Apple, Department of Defense, Anthropic, Polymarket, Sony, Wildlight Studios

Products: MacBook Neo, MacBook Air M5, MacBook Pro M5 Pro/Max, iPad Air M4

Books & works: The Forever Wars, Iron Man

Places: Iran

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