GPT-5 comes alive, Apple is struggling, and Ripple bought Rail | E2162

GPT-5 comes alive, Apple is struggling, and Ripple bought Rail | E2162

Released Friday, 8th August 2025
Good episode? Give it some love!
GPT-5 comes alive, Apple is struggling, and Ripple bought Rail | E2162

GPT-5 comes alive, Apple is struggling, and Ripple bought Rail | E2162

GPT-5 comes alive, Apple is struggling, and Ripple bought Rail | E2162

GPT-5 comes alive, Apple is struggling, and Ripple bought Rail | E2162

Friday, 8th August 2025
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Today’s show:

Jason and Lon recorded a Thursday night special edition, so no Alex this time, but still lots to talk about.

First up, Jason thinks it’s time for Tim Apple to exit the stage in lieu of a product obsessive innovator. Speaking of new products, GPT-5 is here and the hosts are… not exactly blown away. Are we in the midst of the AI trough of despair?

PLUS we’re talking Ripple’s acquisition of Rail, Donald Trump’s new AI chatbot, Bumble’s new direction, Airbnb’s potential paths forward and MUCH MUCH MORE.

Timestamps:

(0:00) Why Jason thinks Apple lacks innovation (plus a look back at his 2019 thoughts)

(08:54) Sentry - New users get 3 months free of the Business plan (covers 150k errors). Go to http://sentry.io/twist and use code TWIST

(09:54) Show continues…

(20:10) Northwest Registered Agent - Form your entire business identity in just 10 clicks and 10 minutes. Get more privacy, more options, and more done—visit https://www.northwestregisteredagent.com/twist today!

(21:18) Is GPT-5 coming for Lovable and Bolt?

(29:42) Alphasense - Get deeper insights into your business with the power of AI search and market intelligence. Start with a free trial at AlphaSense.com/Twist.

(30:55) Show continues…

(35:05) Ripple buying Rail, and why sometimes regulations are GOOD for companies

(43:28) Is Ripple about to become the MicroStrategy of XRP?

(47:48) Truth Social AI is perplexing, powered by Perplexity

(53:27) Should people be using ChatGPT for therapy? What do you think? How does that make you feel?

(01:04:42) Anthropic’s Dario Amodei recalls his greatest haters

(01:11:04) Bumble but… for friendship?

(01:12:20) DoorDash’s crazy growth, and the guys discuss who should buy Airbnb


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Check out the TWIST500: https://www.twist500.com

Subscribe to This Week in Startups on Apple: https://rb.gy/v19fcp


Follow Lon:

X: https://x.com/lons


Follow Alex:

X: https://x.com/alex

LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexwilhelm


Follow Jason:

X: https://twitter.com/Jason

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasoncalacanis


Thank you to our partners:

(08:54) Sentry - New users get 3 months free of the Business plan (covers 150k errors). Go to http://sentry.io/twist and use code TWIST

(20:10) Northwest Registered Agent - Form your entire business identity in just 10 clicks and 10 minutes. Get more privacy, more options, and more done—visit https://www.northwestregisteredagent.com/twist today!

(29:42) Alphasense - Get deeper insights into your business with the power of AI search and market intelligence. Start with a free trial at AlphaSense.com/Twist.


Great TWIST interviews: Will Guidara, Eoghan McCabe, Steve Huffman, Brian Chesky, Bob Moesta, Aaron Levie, Sophia Amoruso, Reid Hoffman, Frank Slootman, Billy McFarland


Check out Jason’s suite of newsletters: https://substack.com/@calacanis


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YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/thisweekin

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisweekinstartups

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Substack: https://twistartups.substack.com


Subscribe to the Founder University Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@founderuniversity1916

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