Carl Pei, CEO of the tech company Nothing, believes mobile apps will soon become outdated. In a recent interview with Wired, he claimed that smartphones will eventually stop using traditional apps. Instead, they’ll run on a single AI system that understands users and performs tasks automatically.
Pei described a future where people won’t need to open or switch between apps. “Your phone will suggest what you want to do—and then do it,” he explained. This AI-powered shift aims to create a simpler and smarter phone experience.
Taking Aim at Apple
Pei also criticized Apple during the interview. He praised Apple’s past innovations like the iPod, but said the company has lost its creative spark. Referencing Apple’s new “Apple Intelligence” tools, Pei remarked, “It’s not much more than some generated emojis.”
He argued that Apple’s large user base prevents it from taking big risks. In contrast, Nothing targets a smaller, more niche audience. Pei believes this gives his company the freedom to build bold new features without needing to please everyone.
Can the App Model Really Disappear?
Not everyone agrees with Pei’s predictions. Critics argue that removing apps would hurt developers and limit user freedom. It could also lead to more control by big tech companies, sparking legal and regulatory issues.
Pei admitted that Nothing still holds a very small share of the global phone market. But he remains confident. The company will launch the Nothing Phone 3 in July 2025. It hopes to offer a fresh choice as Apple and Samsung gear up for new releases.
The Future of Smartphones
Pei’s ideas may sound far off, but they raise important questions about how we use technology. Whether users will welcome a phone without apps—or reject it—will depend on how well AI can truly serve our needs.
