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The End of Apps: Carl Pei’s Vision for AI-Powered Smartphones
Carl Pei, the visionary founder of Nothing, has boldly declared that the era of smartphone applications is drawing to a close. In his compelling vision, within a few years, our smartphone screens will no longer be a grid of icons but rather an intuitive interface for AI agents that independently fulfill our intentions. But when exactly might this profound shift occur?
Carl Pei’s Vision: The Disappearance of Apps
For several months, Carl Pei has consistently reiterated a singular thesis: “apps will disappear.” He argues that the smartphone interface has remained largely unchanged since the advent of the first iPhone. Users still unlock their screens, search for specific icons, and navigate between full-screen applications. This “old-school” model is becoming increasingly discordant with the rapid advancements in technology, particularly generative artificial intelligence.
Pei articulated these points during an interview at the SXSW conference in Austin. He states unequivocally that the future of smartphones lies in systems that “know you very well,” comprehend your intentions, and simply execute them, rather than forcing users to juggle multiple applications. This paradigm shift implies not just new features but a complete redesign of the user experience—from the lock screen and home screen to the very way we install and “use” digital services.
How Will AI Agents Work?
Central to this transformative vision are AI agents: specialized systems capable of integrating various services to complete complex tasks “from intention to outcome.” Instead of manually opening a ride-sharing app, maps, and a messenger, a user might simply say or type: “Schedule coffee for tomorrow at 9 AM downtown.” The AI agent would then autonomously check calendars, suggest a location, book a table, add the event, and, if necessary, order a ride—all without direct app interaction.
Currently, similar scenarios can be partially achieved, but they often necessitate opening several applications and manually confirming each step. Pei highlights that most existing AI agents operate on interfaces originally designed for human interaction. He believes the future belongs to agents specifically engineered for artificial intelligence. In this model, traditional applications would transition to a server-side layer, while the user would interact with a single, cohesive assistant that seamlessly selects and utilizes the best services in the background.
Is Nothing Building the First “AI-First” Smartphone?
Pei’s vision isn’t merely a theoretical manifesto; it forms the strategic bedrock of Nothing. The company proudly announced that this narrative helped them secure $200 million in Series C funding. Nothing is reportedly developing an “AI-first device”—a smartphone where the AI agent isn’t an add-on to a conventional launcher but the primary interface layer. Instead of a classic desktop filled with icons, users would access a system that independently manages services, accounts, and data flow between them.
Pei proposes AI “instead” of applications, rather than AI “on top” of them, which, in the long term, would spell the end of traditional app stores like Google Play. He acknowledges that the transition to an app-less world won’t happen overnight and could take 7–10 years, partly because users “enjoy using apps.” Another significant reason is the deep entrenchment of the current ecosystem in developers’ business models. An application serves not only as a tool but also as a monetization channel, a source of user data, and a means of controlling the entire user experience.
Only when interfaces truly native to AI begin to emerge will icons gradually fade from the home screen. At that point, users will focus on articulating their intentions rather than selecting specific applications. In practice, the “death of apps” will likely be a gradual shift toward agent-driven services rather than an abrupt end to everything we know from app stores.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is an “AI-first” smartphone according to Carl Pei?
According to Carl Pei, an “AI-first” smartphone would feature an AI agent as its primary interface, replacing the traditional grid of app icons. This AI agent would understand user intentions and execute complex tasks by seamlessly integrating various services in the background, rather than requiring users to manually open and navigate multiple applications.
How will AI agents handle complex tasks like scheduling a meeting?
AI agents are designed to combine multiple services to complete tasks “from intention to outcome.” For example, if you ask to “schedule coffee tomorrow at 9 AM downtown,” the AI agent would automatically check your calendar, suggest locations, make reservations, add the event to your schedule, and even arrange transportation if needed, all without direct app interaction.
What are the main challenges to the widespread adoption of AI-first smartphones?
The transition to AI-first smartphones faces several challenges. Users are accustomed to interacting with apps, and changing these deeply ingrained habits will take time (Pei estimates 7-10 years). Furthermore, the current app ecosystem is integral to developers’ business models, serving as monetization channels and sources of user data. A shift would require a fundamental re-evaluation of these established economic structures.
Source: AndroidCentral, TechCrunch, CNET, 9to5Google. Opening photo: YouTube.com / screenshot
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