When two visionaries reinvent the future
Imagine you could look into the future and see what comes after the smartphone. That’s exactly what two of the tech world’s most influential personalities are trying to do: Sam Altman from OpenAI and Jony Ive, the legendary designer behind the iPhone. On May 21, 2025, they announced that OpenAI was acquiring Ive’s hardware startup “io” for an incredible 6.5 billion dollars. This partnership could be the starting signal for the next big technological revolution.
But what exactly are they planning? And do they really have what it takes to create the next big “thing”?
The silent revolution that changes everything
What began two years ago as a “silent collaboration” between friends has evolved into one of the most ambitious projects in tech history. Jony Ive, the man who made the iPhone what it is today, speaks of a “growing sense that everything I have learned over the last 30 years has led me to this moment”. These are strong words from someone who has already changed the world.
The vision is fascinating: “Computers are now seeing, thinking and understanding. Despite this unprecedented capability, our experience remains shaped by traditional products and interfaces”. In other words: We have developed the most intelligent technology of all time, but we still use it via the same screens and touchscreens as we did 20 years ago.
Why the smartphone era is coming to an end
Think back to when Steve Jobs introduced the iPhone in 2007. Back then, he didn’t just revolutionize phones – he created a whole new way for us to interact with technology. Today, 93% of Americans use a smartphone, but after 18 years of continuous improvement, the question is: what’s next?
The answer may lie in what experts call “screenless computing”. Imagine being able to talk to your computer as if it were a human who understands you, knows your context and proactively helps – without you having to constantly stare at a screen. This is exactly what OpenAI and Jony Ive are working on.
The first attempts – and why they failed
The idea is not new. Companies such as Humane with its AI Pin (699 dollars) or Rabbit with the R1 (199 dollars) have already tried to usher in the post-smartphone age. But these first attempts failed spectacularly. The AI Pin had a miserable battery life, the Rabbit R1 turned out to be a glorified Android app.
What these pioneers overlooked: It’s not enough to simply remove a screen and hope AI will do the rest. You need a fundamental reinvention of user interaction – and this is where Jony Ive’s expertise comes into play.
What makes the OpenAI-Ive partnership so special?
This collaboration is different. Sam Altman brings the most advanced AI technology in the world, while Jony Ive has three decades of experience in making complex technology accessible to millions of people. The 55-strong io team brings together former Apple designers such as Evans Hankey and Tang Tan with OpenAI’s AI researchers.
Reports suggest that they are working on “screenless AI companions” – compact devices that fit in your pocket or are worn on your body and are controlled by natural language and gestures. Sam Altman is said to have spoken internally of the opportunity to create “the biggest thing” in OpenAI’s history: to produce 100 million AI devices.
The timing is perfect
What sets this partnership apart from previous attempts is the timing. AI is finally mature enough to work reliably. ChatGPT has shown that people are ready to interact with computers in entirely new ways. And society is beginning to understand that staring at screens all the time may not be the future we want.
At the same time, augmented reality is developing rapidly. Meta’s Ray-Ban Smart Glasses are already showing that people are willing to wear smart glasses if they offer practical benefits. CES 2025 was full of AI-AR glasses, suggesting that different approaches are being pursued in parallel.
The challenges are real
Despite all the euphoria, the hurdles remain high. AI hardware must be energy-efficient, reliable and intuitive to use. People have to change their habits, which has historically been very difficult. And the competition is not sleeping – Apple, Google, Meta and others are working on their own solutions.
But if anyone can overcome these challenges, it’s these two. Jony Ive has already proven that he can make complex technology suitable for the masses. Sam Altman has led the AI revolution. Together they have 6.5 billion dollars and the trust of the tech world.
What this means for us
The truth is: No one knows exactly what the future will look like. Maybe we’ll still be using smartphones in ten years’ time. Maybe we’ll all be wearing smart glasses. Or maybe the OpenAI-Ive partnership will have created something completely unexpected.
What is certain is that the way we interact with technology is facing a fundamental change. The question is not whether, but when and in what form. And with two of the most visionary minds of our time working together on the answer, this future could be closer than we think.
As Jony Ive and Sam Altman wrote in their announcement: “The ideas seemed important and useful. They were optimistic and hopeful. They were inspiring. They made everyone smile.” If that’s not a description of the next big “thing”, what is?
Sources:
1. OpenAI: “Sam and Jony introduce io” – https://openai.com/sam-and-jony/
2. Wired: “OpenAI’s Big Bet That Jony Ive Can Make AI Hardware Work”
3. NPR: “OpenAI buys io, former Apple designer Jony Ive’s device startup”
4. The Verge: “OpenAI is buying Jony Ive’s AI hardware company”
5. Tom’s Guide: “Rabbit R1 vs Humane AI Pin vs Limitless Pendant: AI wearables compared”
6. Inverse: “What Will Replace Smartphones? Experts Reveal the Unsettling Reality”
7. Techopedia: “AI Consumer Hardware Failed Miserably in 2024 – Will 2025 Be Different?”
