An Apple executive suggests that you might not need an iPhone in ten years

Apple's Eddy Cue suggests smartphones, specifically iPhones, might become obsolete due to advancements in AI technology by 2035.

: Eddy Cue, Apple's SVP and head of services, shared during a testimony at the Google antitrust remedies trial that iPhones may no longer be necessary by 2035 due to the rapid advancements in artificial intelligence. This statement was made during a hearing concerned with Google Search practices, indicating a broader change in how technology is perceived and consumed. Cue's insights are framed within the context of evolving digital tools, emphasizing a possible shift from hardware to software dominance as exemplified by Apple Intelligence. The industry might witness a change where software and AI integration take precedence over traditional hardware upgrades, signifying a major transformation in user interaction with technology.

On May 7 at the Google antitrust remedies trial, Eddy Cue, Apple's senior vice president and head of services, mentioned that users might not need an iPhone by 2035 due to advancements in artificial intelligence (AI), which could fundamentally change how people interact with technology. He made these comments while discussing the nature of technological change, indicating that traditional tech products might be replaced or significantly altered by emerging AI capabilities. The idea of a phone-less future presents a stark contrast to today's dependence on smartphones for various daily activities, including shopping and entertainment streaming. With AI's increasing adaptability, its integration might become a necessity rather than an option for even the most entrenched technology companies like Apple, suggesting significant shifts across the tech landscape.

Eddy Cue's testimony also placed emphasis on the adaptive capacity required to maintain relevance in a market driven by AI opportunities. "You may not need an iPhone 10 years from now," he noted, suggesting a profound industry shift. These statements come against the backdrop of Apple's enduring brand power, spearheaded by the iPhone's status as a global icon in mobile technology. However, as technological change accelerates, this might not suffice. Cue's mention of transitioning focus towards software, leverage AI, and services is implicit in Apple's growing investment in Apple Intelligence, a suite of tools prioritizing AI adaptations.

Apple's historical significance rests on its groundbreaking portable technology. However, Cue's remarks open a discourse concerning the longevity of such innovations against ever-changing technological paradigms emphasized by numerous sources, including CNBC. According to their reports, Apple now holds about 20% of its earnings from service-based offerings. As services like Apple Intelligence iterate independently of hardware updates, the tech industry might increasingly prioritize software genius over the traditionally lucrative hardware market.

Further developments in AI, particularly generative models capable of adapting responsibilities currently assigned to smartphones, could redefine user engagements. Recent attempts to transition into AI-first devices underscored the forthcoming challenges, as certain gadgets faced significant hurdles in market adaptation, exemplified by the Rabbit R1 AI companion making its way onto technology's biggest flops lists. Despite the mixed results of early AI-centric devices, the tech industry's direction towards smarter, software-dependent operations like Qualcomm's vision for devices without apps deserves attention.

While it remains to be seen whether iPhones or comparable smartphones will become obsolete entirely, Eddy Cue's position indicates significant and potentially transformative digital transitions. As innovation tilts towards software enrichment and expansive AI deployment, companies might find it essential to redefine their core product strategies, prioritizing adaptable and cross-platform solutions over static hardware developments.

Sources: TechRadar, PhoneArena, CNBC

TechnologyAISmartphones