What does Eddy Cue’s imaginative and prescient of an iPhone-free Apple future appear to be?

I might say it is humorous how offhand feedback can flip into information tales, however given the state of American politics, it is virtually par for the course. The newest one within the tech world comes from Apple’s senior vp of companies, Eddy Cue, who — throughout a Google antitrust trial, of all issues — famous that “you could not want an

iPhone
10 years from now.” He even hinted that the iPhone would possibly ultimately go the best way of the

iPod
, which was discontinued in 2022 regardless of as soon as being important to Apple’s backside line.

What may be Cue be envisioning? And is it in any respect sensible to place an iPhone-free future that near 2025? I do suppose it is potential, however my very own expectation is that the iPhone will nonetheless be round in some kind, even when it would not look something like an

iPhone 16
.

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Cue’s imaginative and prescient of the iPhone’s demise stems from the rising position of generative AI, in response to The Verge. He notes that it has the potential to reshape the tech business, a lot in the identical manner that different traits have seen companies rise and fall. Corporations like HP, Solar, and Intel had been as soon as the invincible giants of Silicon Valley, in any case. As of late, HP and Intel have loads of competitors, and Solar has lengthy since been absorbed by Oracle.

Apple ought to theoretically stay related due to

Apple Intelligence
, however there are at the very least two main issues the corporate wants to beat. The primary is that, frankly, Apple Intelligence simply is not that helpful in the meanwhile. I do typically reap the benefits of Visible Intelligence, ChatGPT integration, and notification summaries, but even these may be questionable. The most effective use I’ve had for Picture Playground is making avatars for my household, and I do not use Writing Instruments or Genmoji in any respect.

To exchange the iPhone, Apple Intelligence won’t solely have to be higher than it’s now, however higher than another generative AI product in the marketplace. Most AI programs are tied to the cloud, which makes them sluggish, unusable with out the web, and liable to “hallucinations,” a euphemism for getting information incorrect. If I ask

ChatGPT
to plan a day in Austin for me, it is no large deal if it is inaccurate, since I can at all times flip to apps and web sites — with out apps or the online to fall again on, I would find yourself going to Taco Bell for Tex-Mex meals, or driving I35 in rush hour site visitors.

The second impediment is a few technique of serving up AI. Conceivably, Apple might try its personal model of the Star Trek-like

Humane AI Pin
, or the Rabbit r1 — however these merchandise had been abject failures, missing reliability, and providing only a fraction of the capabilities of a smartphone.

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The form of issues to return?

The longer term is wearable… possibly

Apple

Actually, I doubt that Cue had any particular substitute gadgets in thoughts when he made his feedback. However there are merchandise in Apple’s lineup that might hypothetically substitute the iPhone sometime, if not of their current kind.

The obvious selection is a follow-up to the

Vision Pro
. The present headset is just too cumbersome, fragile, and costly to put on outdoors, nevertheless it’s arguably much more highly effective than an iPhone, with assist for each desktop-style productiveness apps and a wide range of instruments, video games, and different experiences for AR and VR. Apple is reportedly engaged on

cheaper and more mobile AR glasses
, so it isn’t exhausting to foresee a future wherein we’re speaking to Apple Intelligence in our heads, asking for instructions on the street, or assist with a piece challenge at house. Ten years from now, show and processor expertise should be greater than able to dealing with this at an affordable worth. Corporations like Meta and Google have already demonstrated related prototype gadgets.

A sophisticated Apple Watch is one other chance, however I might guess my cash towards it. Even with main technical achievements, it could be tough to run a strong AI mannequin completely in your wrist. You can, conceivably, enlarge the product into an Apple Cuff — which might look very futuristic — however you’d nonetheless have to resolve issues like significant show area, and the awkwardness of holding your arm up the whole time. I would not wish to watch YouTube movies on my wrist, a lot much less dictate an electronic mail or depend energy that manner. Even navigation can be superior on AR glasses, projecting onto your atmosphere as a substitute of exhibiting up on a tiny display screen.

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Possibly the iPhone is right here to remain

However not as you recognize it

I am struggling to consider something in addition to AR glasses that might fulfill the necessities of being as cell and highly effective as an iPhone. Actually, I feel it is completely cheap to count on the iPhone to persist for one more decade — it is exhausting to beat the idea of a pocket-sized pc that does not have to be strapped to your physique.

The right query, then, may very well be what iPhones will appear to be a decade from now. More than likely they will be just like Samsung’s

Galaxy Z Fold 6
, able to increasing right into a pill merely with much more superior options. Rollable OLED screens are already a actuality, so it isn’t exhausting to image a foldable product that stuffs into your denims, however then snaps to iPad measurement with the press of a button. We even have clear OLED screens, too, so you could possibly maintain your cellphone over your atmosphere to study extra about a spot or object.

I might like Apple to shock me with one thing I’ve by no means considered, although. It is potential — it isn’t like most individuals in 1997 had been predicting one thing like the unique iPhone. Heck, in 1974, the unique Macintosh would’ve been a fantasy. Time has a manner of constructing fools of us all.

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