The twist in the Ticketmaster antitrust fight

Key takeaways

The surprising settlement in the Ticketmaster antitrust case signals both a short-term victory for the DOJ and ongoing scrutiny of live entertainment business practices.
Anthropic's designation as a supply chain risk challenges its standing, while OpenAI's deal with the DOD illustrates a shift towards more military-industry collaborations in tech.
There is still uncertainty and skepticism around the future practicality and appeal of foldable phones, and manufacturers need to justify their functionality clearly.

Summary

Ticketmaster Antitrust Settlement

The podcast starts with Lauren Feiner discussing the unexpected settlement between the US Department of Justice (DOJ) and Live Nation Ticketmaster in their antitrust case. What initially seemed to be a strong case against Ticketmaster took a turn when they agreed to pay $200 million in damages and make operational concessions, though they won't fundamentally break up the company. The implications of the settlement in terms of antitrust law and consumer rights were also examined.

Anthropic vs. OpenAI and DOD Negotiations

Next, Hayden Field gives an overview of the chaotic developments surrounding Anthropic, OpenAI, and the Department of Defense (DOD). Anthropic has found itself designated as a supply chain risk, putting its future business avenues at stake, while OpenAI has managed to secure favorable terms with the DOD. This culminates in a contrast between the two companies' fates and raises questions about corporate ethics in artificial intelligence, particularly concerning military applications.

The Future of Foldable Phones

In the latter part of the episode, David Pierce addresses a listener's inquiry regarding the viability and appeal of foldable phones. He discusses personal experiences with various phones and shares thoughts on the potential of foldable designs. David expresses skepticism over current foldable implementations, emphasizing that manufacturers must establish a clear functionality for larger screens before mainstream adoption can succeed.

Show notes

Last week, it appeared the US Department of Justice was off to a strong start in its antitrust case against Live Nation Ticketmaster. Then, this week, the two sides surprised everyone by settling. The Verge's Lauren Feiner joins the show to explain the stakes of the case, the facts of the settlement, and why things aren’t entirely over just yet. Then, The Verge’s Hayden Field catches us up on what’s happening between Anthropic, OpenAI, and the Department of Defense. OpenAI got the contract, but it looks like Anthropic might be the real winner here. If the company’s business can survive, that is. Finally, David answers a question on the Vergecast Hotline (call 866-VERGE11 or email vergecast@theverge.com!) about whether you should get a foldable phone. And why foldable phones even exist.