Meta Aims to Make Smartphones Obsolete
Meta is setting its sights beyond the smartphone, investing heavily in next-generation technologies such as augmented and virtual reality. The company aims to shape a future where immersive digital experiences replace traditional mobile devices as our primary interface.
Tl;dr
A Bold Vision for the Post-Smartphone Era
When Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta, published his online manifesto this week, he renewed a long-standing ambition: to redefine the « gateway to digital life ». In his view, the age of the smartphone—dominated by Apple’s iPhone—is nearing its twilight, as advances in artificial intelligence and wearable technology prepare the ground for an entirely new paradigm. The focal point of this vision is nothing less than smartglasses capable of understanding user context, interacting seamlessly, and evolving into our primary interface with the digital world.
The Rise (and Stumbles) of Meta’s Hardware Quest
Yet this isn’t Zuckerberg‘s first attempt at upending Apple’s reign. Back in 2010, under his leadership, Facebook made several forays into hardware—most notably with the ill-fated HTC First, or « Facebook Phone ». Despite having four of the world’s most downloaded apps that year, their attempts to replicate Apple’s perfect hardware-software integration failed to win over consumers. The era of the iPhone continued uninterrupted.
But times change. Turning away from past missteps, Meta has now thrown its considerable weight behind smartglasses enhanced by powerful AI systems. Their current models already capture photos and audio through built-in cameras and microphones; the next step involves integrating AR displays directly into the lenses.
The Industry Responds: A Race for Supremacy
The shift isn’t happening in isolation. Rivals like Amazon, exploring connected bracelets, and innovators such as Sam Altman, working with ex-Apple-designer Jony Ive, are all vying to invent what some call « the device of the future ». The industry buzz centers on one idea: perhaps our next essential gadget will be worn on our faces or wrists—not held in our hands.
To clarify where things stand today:
Attracting top talent has become a high-stakes game; Zuckerberg‘s offers reportedly exceed $100 million for elite AI experts. He envisions a time when « personal superintelligence » anticipates users’ every need—a true digital assistant unlike anything yet seen.
The iPhone Holds Steady—For Now
Over in Cupertino, vigilance prevails. At a recent investor meeting, Tim Cook, CEO of Apple, defended tactile screens’ centrality: « Pensez à tout ce qu’un iPhone peut accomplir… difficile d’imaginer un monde sans lui. » Nonetheless, even he concedes that new ways of interacting may emerge—though he expects them to complement rather than replace current devices.
All told, this contest transcends mere market rivalry; it asks who will shape tomorrow’s relationship between humans and machines—a question whose answer will hinge as much on breakthroughs in AI as on our collective readiness to embrace unfamiliar forms of connected life.