Apple's Eddy Cue: AI Could Replace iPhone in 10 Years

[MacRumors]

AI technology is advancing so rapidly that the iPhone could be outdated in the next decade, Apple services chief Eddy Cue said today when testifying in the Google vs. DoJ antitrust case (via Bloomberg).

"You may not need an iPhone 10 years from now, as crazy as it sounds," Cue said. He was referring to the way that AI is likely to evolve in the coming years, and how wearables combined with intuitive AI functionality could replace traditional smartphones.

The iPhone is still Apple's key revenue driver, and Apple so far hasn't been able to find its next big product that could replace the iPhone as main money maker. Apple canceled its car project, and its first VR headset hasn't sold well. Apple is now focusing on robotics, and is continuing to work on wearables that could eventually lead to augmented reality smart glasses that would be a viable iPhone alternative.

Cue was, of course, just speculating, and Apple still has multiple iPhone innovations that are set to come out over the next several years. Apple could debut its first foldable iPhone as soon as next year, and in 2027, Apple is looking to introduce an all-display iPhone that has no cutouts for the camera or Face ID. So far, AI-based wearables have not successfully replaced smartphones. The Humane AI Pin was a failure, and the Rabbit R1 was also lambasted for poor performance when it launched last year. Other companies are also working on AI screen-free wearables, but none have caught on as of yet.

Cue was testifying due to Apple's search engine deal with Google, which is likely to be prohibited as part of the antitrust remedies that Google is facing to address its dominance in the search market.

Cue said that AI search solutions are poised to replace traditional search engines, and Apple is considering adding AI search tools from companies like OpenAI, Anthropic, and Perplexity to Safari in the future as options for people to select. Apple stands to lose at least $20 billion per year if Google isn't able to pay to be the default Safari search engine.

Article Link: Apple's Eddy Cue: AI Could Replace iPhone in 10 Years

 

[zorinlynx]

How about no? I prefer hardware that doesn't just make things up.

 

[alexandr]

But ain't nothin' gonna replace MacRumors!

 

[mcfrazieriv]

Nobody will afford an iPhone 10 years from now if nothing is done about AI eroding the jobs based economy. I worry about this every single day. Sure it will help productivity - for now. But unlike the advent of the cell phone or the internet, this AI does more than just provide a service, it replaces you.

 

[reden]

That sounds really far fetched. How are people going to browse Instagram and all these other apps? Also these companies can't even address the most basic of issues with cell phones in decades, SERVICE. These networks are so congested, can't even get reliable cell phone service half the time and this dude talking that Ai will replace the iPhone, go home dude.

 

[QCassidy352]

I’ll admit that I don’t have the imagine to envision what it would look like for AI to replace a smartphone. Would everything be done by voice command? Like let’s say I have AI powered smart glasses and I wanted to look up a restaurant while on a crowded subway or send a text message while in a crowd of people. I’m what, supposed to talk to my smart glasses in those scenarios? Because that sounds awful. Maybe I’m just not understanding the concept here.

 

[Cobold]

And the AI-Voice is describing what you see on the photos you took on your vacation. Yes. Sounds great! (NOT!) 🙄

 

[Kylo83]

Great iPhone marketing

 

[wonderings]

10 years is a long time in terms of tech. Sure today's iPhones are going to be paper weights at that point. It is like predicting computers will be faster in 10 years then they are now. The iPhone could morph into something completely different, but there will always be some device we use to connect unless someone is thinking AI will take over communication for us and we won't have to talk to anyone ever again.

 

[gknewell]

Slow down there, Cue.

 

[everybodylovesramen]

i miss when apple made good products over profits.

sure $#!t was expensive but that was the “apple tax” - now we just pay that and get less and less.

the thrill is gone.

 

[Mrkevinfinnerty]

This is true. Probably not going to be Apple's AI though...

 

[SanderEvers]

I've heard the 'AI will replace Phones in 10 years' thing 5 years ago. Right now it's not even coming close. AI has some fundemental issues that will most likely not be solved in the next 100 years.

 

[Avenged110]

Anyone who thinks these so-called AI services are going to replace legitimate tools is either an idiot or has never used them. Then again, I can totally see these companies trying to illegitimately force this garbage upon us anyway.

 

[poematik13]

I'd rather have no device at all (just a computer for emails, bills, and documents) than be forced to have an AI listening and profiling me at all times.

 

[AdamHarbour]

So that’s the end of Apple ! Apple AI 💩

 

[jz0309]

Not quite sure what the relevance of that prediction has to do with the Google trial, but whatever, sure there will be wearables in 10 years that can/will replace smartphones for some users…
Whether or not the “AI” as we know today will be “so big” in 10 years from now - only time will tell…

 

[citysnaps]

Interesting. As opposed to those with closed minds... I'm always curious about what intelligent people with fertile imaginations have to say who are able to look ahead and think outside the box.

 

[cocky jeremy]

No thanks. I'd rather just use my current iPhone until I die.

 

[thefrost]

I doubt it.

 

[smulji]

Slow down there, Cue.

He's making a run for CEO. /s

 

[jclardy]

Yikes, seems like a fundamental misunderstanding of both AI and the iPhone by Eddy Cue. Like someone saying "the keyboard" will go away in the early 2000's because of touchscreens. In some ways, it has gone away for some people that live off mobile devices, but in general the keyboard is still going strong.

The problem with "replacing" the iPhone is that we don't have any private display tech, or private input tech that rivals the simplicity of a phone. Glasses solve one thing (displays/sound), but the problem is they are a style accessory - you have to choose to wear smart glasses, the same way people choose to wear apple watch now.

Just think about the simplest use case - a high schooler trying to secretly text their friends without the teacher seeing it - how do you do that with smart glasses? Maybe...if you carried a small keyboard packing device with you in your pocket...at that point, why not a phone?

The form factor will certainly change. I think phones will make their way back to being tiny and actually portable, because glasses will replace larger displays. Foldables are a stop gap until glasses are cheap, more usable & more robust.

 

[FelixDerKater]

AI will replace AI before Siri gets to be fully functional.

 

[fantasyname_qwertz]

the AI will create Apps instantly that fits your request, eg it creates a maps app for navigation and when you are at the destination the app ceases to exist. The question is what form of device will be the output interface and it wont be an iphone. Maybe Display strips we have on our wrist or some more Unified Concept Like such.

 

[Sami13496]

I predict Apple as a company will fall in less than 10 years. The iPhone and the Hardware is so deep in their DNA that they just won’t be able to adapt to the revolution that is coming that is AI “human interface”. They will share same fate with Nokia. AI for Apple will be same as smartphones were for Nokia. It’s over.