A smartphone powered by Chat-GPT without a screen may be targeting the iPhone.

      Humane AI / Humane AI

      A Chat-GPT screenless phone may soon become a reality, which could pose a threat to Apple in terms of the iPhone market.

      Apple is already facing challenges with its AI initiatives, particularly following delays with Apple Intelligence, and now Chat-GPT's OpenAI is reportedly venturing into the smartphone industry.

      While Chat-GPT is available as an AI on most mobile devices, the company has not yet ventured into creating its own hardware—though this is expected to change soon.

      According to a new report from The Information, the AI company is in talks to acquire io Products.

      io Products is a hardware company co-founded by former Apple chief designer Jony Ive and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman.

      One of the projects io Products has confirmed it is developing is an AI-powered smartphone without a screen.

      Whatever the specifics of the company's developments, they seem to be generating excitement and support. It is reported that they have received funding from Powell Jobs, the widow of the late Apple co-founder Steve Jobs, with expectations of reaching nearly $1 billion by the end of last year.

      OpenAI is allegedly working to establish a partnership with io Products to leverage its hardware manufacturing capabilities, enabling the production of AI-powered devices.

      This interest in hardware is not new for OpenAI, which has previously expressed a desire to enter this space, hence collaborating with Jony Ive on this project. He has mentioned working on a device intended to compete with Apple and Samsung, suggesting it will “utilize AI to deliver a computing experience that is less socially disruptive than the iPhone.”

      The accompanying image depicts the Humane AI Pin, which projects onto a hand and promises a voice-powered mobile computing experience without a screen. This could signal a new wave of devices that Jony Ive seems to be hinting at, using voice communication rather than screens for more natural interactions.

      However, the concept of everyone in a room speaking to their devices seems more socially disruptive than the aim of reducing disruption.

      Luke has over two decades of experience covering technology, science, and health, and writes about health tech among other topics.

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