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Technology industry leaders are projecting alternative scenarios for the digital future, where smartphones could be replaced by new forms of interaction, while Apple maintains its commitment to continuous innovation of its devices.
Tech leaders like Elon Musk, Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg and Sam Altman are certain that smartphones' days are numbered, but Apple's Tim Cook is bucking the trend.
The technology industry is experiencing a moment of transition.
As industry giants project a future where smartphones will be replaced by more advanced technologies, Apple resists and invests in the evolution of these devices.
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This dispute of visions highlights the clash between radical innovation and continuous improvement.
Elon Musk and brain implants: a future without screens
Elon Musk, head of Neuralink, is betting on brain implants that would eliminate the need for screens or physical interfaces.
In January 2024, the company successfully implanted its chip into two human volunteers, marking an important step toward directly connecting the brain to electronic devices.
The proposal is bold: transform thoughts into digital commands.
Bill Gates and electronic tattoos
Bill Gates, in turn, believes in electronic tattoos as the future of technological interaction.
Developed by startup Chaotic Moon, the idea involves stickers with nanosensors capable of monitoring vital signs, transmitting data and even replacing smartphones in functions such as GPS, payment and real-time communication.
Gates has already stated that these solutions will be part of everyday life in the coming decades, especially in the healthcare sector.
Mark Zuckerberg and augmented reality glasses
Mark Zuckerberg, founder of Meta, also predicts the end of cell phones, but with a focus on augmented reality (AR).
According to him, the Smart glasses to replace smartphones by 2030, offering a more immersive and practical experience.
Meta is already investing billions of dollars in the development of this technology, with the aim of integrating AR, artificial intelligence and connectivity into a single wearable accessory.
Sam Altman and the convergence of AI and human interaction
Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, follows the futuristic trend, defending the convergence between artificial intelligence and new forms of human interaction with machines.
In partnership with other companies, he also envisions a scenario where smartphones become obsolete in the face of the rise of autonomous devices integrated into the human body.
Apple is still going strong with the iPhone
Amid this wave of futuristic predictions, Apple continues to swim against the tide.
Tim Cook, CEO of the Cupertino giant, remains firm in his position that smartphones still play an essential role in the modern world.
In recent interviews, Cook has reinforced that smartphones will continue to be people's primary means of communication, organization and entertainment — at least for another decade.
The launch of the iPhone 16 in September 2024 made this even more evident.
The model brought a series of updates based on artificial intelligence, with personalized features for photos, productivity and accessibility.
Apple has further integrated iPhones into its digital ecosystem, making them central pieces for users of iPads, Macs, Apple Watches, and Vision Pro.
For Apple, smartphones will not be replaced, but rather complemented by emerging technologies such as augmented reality and wearables.
Instead of betting on disruptions, the company focuses on smooth integrations that respect consumer habits and offer evolution without shock.
Tim Cook has already stated that he believes in coexistence between smartphones and new technologies, a strategy that can guarantee Apple as a market leader even in a transformation scenario.
Disruptive technologies gain traction
Despite Apple's resistance, the Alternative technologies to smartphones are advancing rapidly.
Neuralink, for example, is already planning new tests with its brain chip on more volunteers.
The FDA, the US regulatory agency, has approved clinical trials in humans, paving the way for applications ranging from controlling prosthetics to accessing the internet directly with thought.
Electronic tattoos, in addition to being data collectors, can also function as payment devices, health trackers and even digital authentication methods.
Although still in the experimental phase, Chaotic Moon and other biotechnology labs have accelerated testing, including in military and medical settings.
In the field of augmented reality, investments are also heavy.
In addition to Meta, companies like Google, Microsoft and Samsung are developing their own smart glasses.
Zuckerberg's prediction that AR will replace smartphones gains credibility as devices become lighter, more affordable and multifunctional.
What comes next?
The big question hanging over the market is: Are consumers ready to abandon the cell phones they have known for more than a decade?
Although the promises of futurists delight the sector, the human factor — custom, adaptation and accessibility — still weighs heavily.
Experts point out that, even with the arrival of disruptive devices, smartphones will still have space as transition platforms between the present and the future.
After all, technological change rarely happens abruptly — it requires time, regulation, public trust, and cultural adaptation.
Meanwhile, companies like Apple continue to focus on gradual improvements, keeping their user base loyal and prepared for the next steps.
Names like Musk, Gates and Zuckerberg continue to accelerate transformations, even though they face ethical, technical and legal challenges in their visionary projects.
What is at stake is not just the end of the smartphone, but the very way we connect to the digital world. The battle between the consolidated present and the uncertain future is just beginning.
