In 2024, every company seems to be jumping on the AI bandwagon. While ChatGPT shook the market in late 2022, other companies like Google and Meta were still working on their products. However, today, users have a dozen AI-based chatbots, including Google’s Gemini, Microsoft’s Copilot, Meta’s Meta AI, and many more. However, AI is not just limited to creating intelligent large language models that can provide outputs based on queries entered by the user.
Here’s How The Rabbit R1 Works – And Why It’s Important
Some companies aim to replace app-based smartphones with devices that run entirely on AI workflows and enable users to carry out basic tasks. Earlier this year, the startup Rabbit released a rather unique AI-based device called Rabit R1. It is powered by the Large Action Model, which also forms the base of the Rabbit OS. This operating system consists of interfaces to perform tasks.
So, the device can answer questions, launch Spotify playlists, book cabs and rides, handle other smart devices, and so on. Regarding tech specs, the AI-powered gadget features a 2.3GHz MediaTek processor, 4GB of memory, and 128GB of storage. It also contains a 2.88-inch TFT touchscreen and an 8MP night vision camera. Users also get a dual-microphone and speaker system.
Introducing T-Phone, A Device Similar To Rabbit R1, Except In A Smartphone’s Form Factor
We’re talking about what the Rabbit R1 is and how it works because the parent company of T-Mobile, Deutsche Telekom, has showcased a similar device, except it’s a smartphone, and it runs without any apps. You read it right – a smartphone without apps! Dubbed T-Phone, the device has been developed in collaboration with Qualcomm and Brain.
Here’s How Users Might Use The T-Phone
The app-less phone can respond to user prompts, provide customized recommendations, buy products, send photos/videos to contacts, and perform other basic tasks. Deutsche Telekom’s CEO, Tim Hoettges, believes nobody will use apps in the next five to 10 years. The company also thinks the crossmodal large language models will become integral to devices.
Essentially, the concept phone consists of an AI-powered assistant that will take commands from the user and complete their tasks. For instance, users can ask the assistant to take a picture and send it to some friends. The device must rely heavily on cloud-based AI and on-device AI to achieve this. In other words, the T-Phone is very similar to the Rabbit R1 device we discussed earlier, except it has the form factor and hardware of the smartphone.
Potential Challenges That T-Phone Could Face: User Interface And Constant Internet Connection
Even though the concept is ambitious and brings conventional smartphones and emerging AI tech closer, there are some key challenges that the device could face.
The first challenge is the entire idea behind the phone – an app-free experience. For years, companies like Apple, Samsung, and Google have spent billions on building and improving operating systems, such as iOS, One UI (custom UI), and stock Android. Further, they’ve spent years perfecting their hardware to make everything intuitive. Hence, placing the T-Phone as an alternative with no user interface and a completely new user experience might be counterintuitive. Such devices often rely on heavy data processing, which could pose another threat to user’s privacy.
Last but not least, users might need to maintain a constant internet connection to use such a phone. While these are just the initial challenges that we feel the device could face, we are in no way against the innovation and concept the company has put forward. In conclusion, it will take time before the technology showcased with the phone comes mainstream, and when it does, how the company markets and presents it before its audience will be key.
We Have Smartphones That Offer AI-Based Features, But They Let People Use Their Favorite Apps
In 2024, we have smartphones that integrate AI into the core experiences. For instance, the Galaxy S24 series has many integrated features that rely on on-device and cloud-based AI features. However, the phone still has a conventional user interface that allows people to use their favorite apps and improves the in-app experience. For instance, people like to consume content on OTT apps, spend time on social media apps, and order food or shop for clothes on their favorite e-commerce platforms. Hence, a phone that doesn’t include these is difficult to imagine at the moment.
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