Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg think smartphones are on their way out. Tim Cook says they’re just getting better

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In the 1990s, cell phones began to gain popularity, gradually transforming into the sophisticated devices known as smartphones by the early to mid-2000s. However, it was after 2007 that smartphones truly became mainstream. As we approach the twentieth anniversary of this development, one can’t help but wonder: could we be nearing the end of the smartphone era? What might succeed them?

Curiously, three major tech companies have distinct perspectives on where technology is heading next.

Mark Zuckerberg’s vision for 2030

Kick things off by discussing Mark Zuckerberg’s perspective on augmented reality (AR). During Meta’s 2024 Connect gathering, he unveiled the Orion AR glasses prototype, an innovation designed to supersede smartphones by enabling the use of 3D holograms. This device will allow you to manage apps, chat, navigate, and more using only your voice, eye movements, and gestures. Meta aims to debut Orion around 2027, having invested over $80 billion in AR and VR technology since 2014.

At present, Meta offers Ray-Ban smart glasses, which feature a 12MP camera, integrated speakers, and Meta’s AI assistant for hands-free communication, translation, and additional functions. These glasses are an element of Meta’s ambition to integrate augmented reality into our daily routines. Zuckerberg anticipates that AR glasses will become the primary technology by 2030, surpassing our current devices.

Elon Musk wants to replace your phone with your brain

According to Elon Musk, devices such as phones and smartwatches have been outdated since 2020 in his perspective. Instead, he sees the true future lying with Neuralink, a company he established in 2016. Essentially, Neuralink is working on brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) that might one day replace smartphones. With their implants, you’d be able to manage technology solely through thought, without any reliance on screens or buttons.

By early 2025, two individuals had already been equipped with Neuralink’s technology, demonstrating its potential. Initially, Neuralink is geared towards assisting people suffering from paralysis or brain injuries by enabling them to regain movement and sensation. However, Elon Musk envisions a future where this technology could extend beyond these applications, encompassing concepts as audacious as telepathy, memory enhancement, and even the integration of artificial intelligence with human cognition.

Of course, there’s no shortage of doubts surrounding this technology. Given that it’s in its infancy, many experts are uncertain if it will function effectively on a large scale or whether it might introduce new risks. Privacy is another major issue; since the human brain would be linked to a computer, questions about data ownership arise. Could it potentially be hacked? Moreover, some have raised concerns that Neuralink has not been entirely transparent regarding their research and potential hazards, which fuels skepticism.

Tim Cook says smartphones are here to stay

For just a moment, let’s take a break from the clouds and consider reality. While some are lost in the fantasies of tomorrow, Apple CEO Tim Cook is firmly convinced that smartphones will remain an essential part of our lives for quite some time. Indeed, under his leadership, Apple unveiled the iPhone 16 in September 2024 – a device equipped with advanced AI capabilities to simplify our daily lives even further. In Cook’s view, smartphones are likely to continue playing a pivotal role, with technologies such as augmented reality and wearables complementing rather than supplanting them.

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2025-05-19 14:02