A pile of Apple employees have left for Jony Ive’s new AI company, but what can we expect from the ‘iPhone of AI’ that is being made there?
iPhone from AI: this is what you can expect
You probably know Jony Ive as the designer of a large number of iconic Apple products. Think of the transparent iMac, the iPod and of course the iPhone and iPad. In Ive’s hunt for the thinnest devices, he was also responsible for, among other things, the disastrous keyboard with butterfly keys, but after his departure from Apple people generally look back on his work with admiration.
It is therefore interesting to see what Ive will do next. Especially since he is entering a market where Apple is still a bit behind: artificial intelligence.
iPhone by AI
Jony Ive is said to be working on a new AI gadget together with Sam Altman from OpenAI (you know, from ChatGPT). It is being called the ‘iPhone of AI’, but nothing is known yet about what this gadget will ultimately become. The Financial Times stilt that it is a device that should offer a more natural and intuitive user experience around the use of artificial intelligence.
The touchscreen in the original iPhone has changed how we operate phones and interact with the mobile internet, but how can a new gadget do that for AI?
Not much is clear about Ive’s AI company where this gadget is made. Except that more than twenty Apple employees have already switched because they believe in Ive’s vision. Notably, Tang Tan, Apple’s vice president of iPhone design, is joining as lead hardware engineering for AI devices. So a lot is happening, but what can we really expect from it?
A device for the home
If the rumors are to be believed, this new device is intended for the home. This is striking, because most AI devices that are now being made revolve around mobility. From glasses with AI to chains that allow you to record and summarize conversations. An AI device for the home could be an interesting addition.
Currently, you mainly interact with AI at home via your smartphone or computer. In addition, smart speakers such as the HomePod will have more AI functions for more natural conversations. What could Ive add to that?
What kind of devices are already being made
Due to the enormous hype that has arisen around artificial intelligence, companies and new start-ups are falling over each other to create AI hardware. The most striking example of this is the Rabbit R1: also the most interesting product of the CES 2024 tech fair.
The Rabbit R1 can already tick two boxes on points that Ive is working on: strong design and its own way of interacting with AI. Everything works via your voice and a unique dial.
Meta opts for glasses with a camera, with which you can ask an AI questions about what you see at that moment. In addition, there is a proliferation of AI wearables such as the AI ​​Pin from Humane, the Rewind Pendant or the Tab from tech entrepreneur Avi Schiffman. The last two are interesting because you can talk about what you have said in the past.
Keep expectations low
Every company has been thinking in the past year: we need to do something with AI. It is of course interesting that Jony Ive and Sam Altman are working on something, but the developments of this technology are moving so quickly that nothing is certain. It is not inconceivable that this new hardware will never appear, because other companies have already made something better or because we have discovered that our smartphone is more than sufficient for interacting with AI.
In any case, we will keep a close eye on developments.
Do you want to stay up to date with all the Apple news? Please sign up for our daily/weekly newsletter. Additionally, download the free iphoned app and keep an eye on our website.