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OpenAI Reportedly Working on an AI Smartphone to Rival iPhone
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PixelPanics
macrumors regular
Wow... well, this could be the final test for OpenAI. Chances of it succeeding are vanishingly small, imho. The thing that feels very weird about this is that the most likely "draw" for a new phone would be the ultra-simple, text and call, "dumb phone" idea. But this will be such a weird mix of a creepy of AI funnelling everything you say and do to one of the most dodgy companies on the planet, and the minimal, dumb-phone people might actually want. It would kind of sit at both extremes—of the worst of both worlds?—save for the fact that maybe it doesn't become a social media slop pipeline. But then again, why wouldn't it?... Dunno... it seems like a bad idea to me. Also, the apparent change of direction from "non phone" to "phone" feels like they chickened out on the original vision and are making a play for something that feels safer, which is a very bad sign.
lazyrighteye
Contributor
Ha. Interesting. And not at all surprising. I'm sure Ive was brought on for more than just speaker design. I could even see this as part of some sort of Ive's redemption tour: Jonny's attempt to right the wrongs he feels iPhone ushered in. Aka: a device that has fostered a stronger, more destructive addiction potential than heroin. And in the hands of children, no less. From what I have read, heard, that does seem to bother him at his core. But he' into told that directly. 😜
Regardless, it definitely seems OSes, as we've known them, are on the brink of potential reinvention/reimagining. Going back to the addictive qualities I just mentioned... I do think we are hitting a potential tipping point, where people are wanting a device that offer less stuff and more daily help. As long as the device can make calls, send messages, calendar, etc., I could very easily seen an AI-based OS on a communication and assistance device replacing peoples "phones."
Not saying I want this AI-based device. Just saying I can see a scenario where the traditional OSes evolve to something more AI-powered.
Regardless, it definitely seems OSes, as we've known them, are on the brink of potential reinvention/reimagining. Going back to the addictive qualities I just mentioned... I do think we are hitting a potential tipping point, where people are wanting a device that offer less stuff and more daily help. As long as the device can make calls, send messages, calendar, etc., I could very easily seen an AI-based OS on a communication and assistance device replacing peoples "phones."
Not saying I want this AI-based device. Just saying I can see a scenario where the traditional OSes evolve to something more AI-powered.
Since it's likely to run Android, I can't wait to watch Google and OpenAI fight over who can collect more of your personal information.
Is Open Ai even relevant anymore?? Their models are falling behind, the CEO is a wack, they have no money (even though people have been saying they are giving a ton). This is a failed business imo.
CATiNTHESTORE
Suspended
It seems like a risky product category for OpenAI. And probably a colossal waste of money. The smartphone market is so mature, and the data seems to indicate people aren't willing to switch phone operating systems for AI features and integration (see Pixel). That said, 3 of the top 5 countries that use ChatGPT prefer Android to iOS. The US market isn't one of them. Good luck.
quietstormSD
macrumors 65816
quietstormSD
macrumors 65816
uacd
macrumors 68000
Small iPhone 5-like device with Open AI’s state-of-the-art voice recognition, multiple microphones and I am probably selling my iPhone. Smartphone that can speak to the user is the future! There are many issues with such a device, including data collection, but just think about how useful such a device will be for work and efficiency.
Apple might become a new Nokia with their slow pace. Competitors are not sleeping
Apple might become a new Nokia with their slow pace. Competitors are not sleeping
uacd
macrumors 68000
Most apps these days offer web interface or full-blown web apps. I think a phone with Linux on board or modified Android + Firefox can do magic. Probably now what many people are used to but still not the end of the world. However if Open AI wants to play big they need to build their own OS from scratch
DaveN
macrumors 6502a
—Kuo argues that the smartphone remains uniquely positioned for AI agent use because it is the only device that captures a user's full real-time state, including location, activity, communication, and context, which he describes as the most important input for real-time AI agent inference.— So basically let us spy on you in more detail than you ever imagined so we can sell your details to marketers.
The deep flaw in trying to make this an analogy is that OpenAI would have to get past not just Apple , but also Google ( Android/Pixel) , Samsung , and the other established players in the smartphone market. In the USA Apple may have something close to 50% of market , but that also means there is another 50% that is also already out there. The stratopheric growth phase of smartphones is over.
OpenAI starts with some kind of AI agent hodge podge of a unique smartphone OS (Linux with some 'new age' UI layer on top). Android and iOS dominate. ( have to go to countries like China where government fingers on the scale to get another viable competitor to the mix). OpenAI, could do an Android with a custom launcher. Are they really going to displace anyone when the OpenAI app is availalbe on other Android phones (and iOS ones)?
In the early, general PC market the vast majority of people and business DID NOT HAVE the devices. It was not a mature market. Apple thought they could continue to grab increasing users even if IBM also did. The 'overconfidence' was in the quriky move by IBM to make decisions that allowed a wide range of other players join their general direction/team. MS Windows got sold to anyone who wanted it.... not just IBM.
Altmans spent $6B for Ive & company start up that didn't have any product (huge pay day for Ive and Jobs-Powell ... so far exceding bad investment for OpenAI investors. ) . Just because OpenAI is spending money like drunken sailors on shore leave doesn't mean they are doing something productive with it.
Back in the early IBM PC days, IBM was NOT spending 'blank check' sums on getting into the market. In fact, it was pretty much the opposite in that the project leveraged a bunch of 'off-the-shelf' and '3rd party" stuff to get jumped started quickly. [ that is what deeply enabled lots of other players jumped on the 'team' over the 80's. ]
Probably not. 'Voice everything" is about just as limiting as "vision only" everything. A mix of senses works better because that is what humans normally deal with. ( there are work-arounds for missing one of the senses , but almost nobody is permanently giving one of them up volunteering. )
The personal assistent that leaves you skiilless and learning next to nothing is probably at least 2x as bad a social media. Another variant to dubious 'endless scroll' like UIs that lead folks into just being just being increasingly agitated/lured into a deeper feedback cycle isn't really "good UI".
frenchcamp49er
macrumors 6502a
WarmWinterHat
Suspended
Yea, just what every office needs, a bunch of computers talking over one another. 🙄
I don't want to talk to my computer, I don't want my computer to talk to me, and I don't want to hear you conversing with yours.
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