What does Eddy Cue's imaginative and prescient of an iPhone-free Apple future appear like?

Abstract

Eddy Cue claims that 10 years from now, generative AI might make the iPhone irrelevant.
One of the best system to interchange the iPhone is perhaps a successor to the Imaginative and prescient Professional, which already demonstrates quite a lot of the identical energy and suppleness.
Then again, it might be that there isn’t any true substitute for the iPhone — it is simply going to evolve past recognition.

I would 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 vice chairman of providers, Eddy Cue, who — throughout a Google antitrust trial, of all issues — famous that “it’s possible you’ll not want an

iPhone
10 years from now.” He even hinted that the iPhone may finally 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 is perhaps Cue be envisioning? And is it in any respect reasonable to place an iPhone-free future that near 2025? I do assume it is doable, however my very own expectation is that the iPhone will nonetheless be round in some type, even when it does not look something like an

iPhone 16
.

Apple iPhone 16 Professional

Apple’s iPhone 16 Professional line options a couple of notable upgrades over final yr’s iPhone 15 Professional, together with a devoted digital camera button, a brand new A18 Professional chip, a much bigger display screen, and a number of other AI-powered Apple Intelligence options.

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Cue’s imaginative and prescient of the iPhone’s demise stems from the rising function of generative AI, in keeping with The Verge. He notes that it has the potential to reshape the tech trade, a lot in the identical method that different developments have seen companies rise and fall. Firms like HP, Solar, and Intel have been as soon as the invincible giants of Silicon Valley, in any case. Nowadays, HP and Intel have loads of competitors, and Solar has lengthy since been absorbed by Oracle.

To exchange the iPhone, Apple Intelligence won’t solely must be higher than it’s now, however higher than some other generative AI product in the marketplace.

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 intervening time. I do typically make the most of Visible Intelligence, ChatGPT integration, and notification summaries, but even these could be questionable. One of the best 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 must be higher than it’s now, however higher than some other generative AI product in the marketplace. Most AI techniques are tied to the cloud, which makes them sluggish, unusable with out the web, and liable to “hallucinations,” a euphemism for getting info unsuitable. If I ask

ChatGPT
to plan a day in Austin for me, it is no massive deal if it is inaccurate, since I can all the time flip to apps and web sites — with out apps or the net 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 have been abject failures, missing reliability, and providing only a fraction of the capabilities of a smartphone.

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The longer term is wearable… possibly

Apple

Truthfully, I doubt that Cue had any particular substitute units 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 type.

The obvious alternative is a follow-up to the

Vision Pro
. The present headset is simply too cumbersome, fragile, and costly to put on exterior, but it surely’s arguably much more highly effective than an iPhone, with help for each desktop-style productiveness apps and quite a lot 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 arduous to foresee a future wherein we’re speaking to Apple Intelligence in our heads, asking for instructions on the highway, or assist with a piece undertaking at house. Ten years from now, show and processor know-how must be greater than able to dealing with this at an inexpensive value. Firms like Meta and Google have already demonstrated comparable prototype units.

The obvious alternative is a follow-up to the Imaginative and prescient Professional.

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

The Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra sits in sand.

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Possibly the iPhone is right here to remain

However not as it

An open silver Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 on a white table.

I am struggling to consider something apart from AR glasses that might fulfill the necessities of being as cell and highly effective as an iPhone. Actually, I feel it is totally cheap to anticipate the iPhone to persist for an additional decade — it is arduous to beat the idea of a pocket-sized laptop that does not must be strapped to your physique.

I would like Apple to shock me with one thing I’ve by no means considered.

The correct query, then, might be what iPhones will appear like a decade from now. Almost definitely they’re going to 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 arduous 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 can maintain your telephone over your setting to study extra about a spot or object.

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