Author: Richard

The recent days have witnessed divergent opinions from AI firms regarding the prospects of smartphones. Perplexity believes AI will primarily benefit iPhones, while OpenAI allegedly contends that its own smartphone could make them redundant.

I would wager significantly that the OpenAI smartphone will either never come to fruition or will end up being a commercial failure, but I still regard the endeavor as positive news for iPhone users.

## Perplexity: AI won’t affect the iPhone

Perplexity CEO Aravind Srinivas holds that AI does not pose a threat to the iPhone; in fact, the opposite is true.

> Here’s my take. I haven’t expressed this before. The phone, the iPhone, is not being disrupted by AI at all. In fact, the better AI performs, the iPhone essentially becomes your digital passport.

He asserts that the iPhone is integral to how we navigate our lives, and that reality is not set to change.

## OpenAI smartphone

Should a Ming-Ching Kuo report be accurate, OpenAI opposes this view. He indicates that the company is developing its own smartphone.

> OpenAI is collaborating with MediaTek and Qualcomm to create smartphone processors, with Luxshare as the exclusive partner for co-design and manufacturing. Mass production is anticipated to commence in 2028.

The firm’s vision is that the operating system will center around AI agents rather than apps. In simpler terms, you won’t launch a particular app to complete a task – instead, you will assign the task to an AI agent.

## OpenAI will be partially correct … eventually

In principle, I believe OpenAI is right in asserting that humans have objectives they wish to accomplish, and that apps are merely one of the tools at our disposal.

I would love to simply grab my iPhone, instruct Siri regarding what I actually want to achieve, and then receive confirmation a few seconds or minutes later that the task has been completed. For instance, tell Siri to arrange a trip, confident that it knows all my preferences for airlines, seating, hotels, etc.; that it can utilize my frequent flyer miles for the journey; that it has access to my calendar to ensure the timings align; and so forth.

I do believe we will ultimately reach that point, and once we do, the notion of human-operated apps will be at least somewhat obsolete. However, this certainly isn’t going to happen by 2028! Given the current blunders made by AI systems, it will be a significant amount of time before I’ll trust an agent with any important tasks, let alone something as complex as managing travel arrangements.

Even when it eventually does occur, this doesn’t imply we will abandon our iPhones. The Apple ecosystem will grow even more crucial in this interconnected landscape, and the attractiveness of the iPhone maker’s privacy strategy will only heighten.

## But I wish for it to happen

Nonetheless, although I believe an OpenAI smartphone would fail, I would be truly pleased to see the company take the plunge. It will expedite the shift beyond apps and into AI-agent delegated tasks, and it will compel Apple to advance more quickly in this direction.

We won’t be relinquishing our iPhones, but they will become smarter and faster due to this competitive impetus.

### Thunderbolt 5 CubeDock Review: A Significant Step Ahead in Connectivity

Thunderbolt 5 was introduced in September 2023, representing a notable upgrade in the Thunderbolt standard, set to gradually supersede Thunderbolt 4. Featuring improved bandwidth, display support, and enhanced capabilities, the rollout of Thunderbolt 5 has been rather gradual, with many devices simply upgrading from Thunderbolt 4 without meaningful modifications. Nonetheless, Satechi’s Thunderbolt 5 CubeDock distinguishes itself by delivering real enhancements and functionalities. After utilizing it for over two weeks, here’s what you should be aware of.

#### Specifications and Connectivity

The Satechi CubeDock is designed to serve as a powerful, single-cable solution for Mac configurations, merging high-speed data transfer, power delivery, display output, and storage expansion. Its design resembles an M4 Mac mini, with connectivity options that include:

**Front Ports:**
– 3.5mm headphone connector
– SD & microSD card reader (UHS-II)
– USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 (10Gbps, up to 30W)
– USB-A 3.2 Gen 2 (10Gbps)

**Back Ports:**
– 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet
– USB-A 3.2 Gen 2 (10Gbps)
– USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 (10Gbps)
– Thunderbolt 5 host port (to Mac)
– 3x Thunderbolt 5 ports
– Kensington lock slot

#### Key Features of the CubeDock

The CubeDock utilizes Thunderbolt 5’s features, providing:

– Up to 120Gbps bandwidth
– Up to 140W host charging
– Storage speeds reaching 6000MB/s
– Multi-display support:
– Single 8K 144Hz
– Dual 8K 120Hz
– macOS: dual 6K displays
– M5 Pro / M5 Max Macs: up to 3 displays
– Built-in M.2 NVMe SSD slot (up to 8TB)

Importantly, it facilitates 140W fast charging for the 16-inch MacBook Pro and offers several Thunderbolt 5 ports, enabling high data transfer rates. The integrated M.2 NVMe SSD slot provides read/write speeds of up to 6000MB/s, boosting workflow efficiency.

#### Personal Experience

In my setup, I connected the CubeDock to an M5 MacBook Pro and a 40-inch 5K display, along with various peripherals. The dock has excelled, keeping cool due to its integrated fan and offering instant ejection for SSDs and SD cards—an upgrade from my previous Caldigit TS5+.

The most impressive feature for me has been the integrated NVMe storage. I installed a 4TB Samsung 990 NVMe drive dedicated to my Final Cut Pro workflow, enabling effortless access to projects and assets. The speed matches that of internal storage, allowing me to work directly from the external drive without any slowdowns.

Although the CubeDock does not include a dedicated HDMI or DisplayPort, this has not posed any issue for my Thunderbolt video output requirements. A straightforward USB-C to HDMI dongle can effectively mitigate this limitation.

#### Pricing and Availability

The Satechi Thunderbolt 5 CubeDock is available for purchase on Amazon and Satechi’s website, with a retail price of $399. A promotional 10% discount lowers the price to $360. In comparison to the Caldigit TS5, which lacks the M.2 NVMe slot but provides similar ports, the CubeDock is attractively priced.

#### Final Thoughts

Satechi’s Thunderbolt 5 CubeDock ranks among the top Thunderbolt docks available, improving connectivity, power delivery, and display support while including an NVMe slot and an elegant design. It is a worthwhile investment for anyone seeking to optimize their work environment. I would rate it a 9.5/10, with the only downside being the lack of built-in HDMI or DisplayPort.

If you are contemplating a Thunderbolt dock that can energize your entire workspace and add significant value, the Satechi CubeDock is certainly worth your consideration.

### The Rise of Apple Ultra Products: A Fresh Chapter in Apple’s Range

A recent report suggests that Apple is nearing the release of a new collection of products branded as “Ultra,” which might feature a foldable iPhone and a MacBook powered by the M6 chip. So far, this branding has been linked exclusively to the Apple Watch, but it seems that Apple is exploring the possibility of expanding it to its entire device lineup.

#### The iPhone Fold → iPhone Ultra

The initial indication of this new branding comes from the highly anticipated foldable iPhone, previously known as the iPhone Fold. Sources indicate that Apple plans to officially designate it the iPhone Ultra. Prominent industry insider Mark Gurman from Bloomberg was one of the first to suggest this branding, supported by additional reports. While nothing has been officially confirmed, the trend appears to favor this naming approach.

#### New-design MacBook Pro → MacBook Ultra

Alongside the iPhone, the forthcoming M6 MacBook Pro is anticipated to boast a comprehensive redesign and an OLED display. Reports indicate that this new variant may also adopt the Ultra branding, signaling that Apple is not confining this label solely to the iPhone. This supports Gurman’s claim that the Ultra branding will encompass multiple product categories.

#### Apple’s Exploration of Models

Traditionally, Apple has streamlined its product lines, famously expressed by Steve Jobs’ vision of a two-by-two matrix for laptops and desktops. However, the current environment permits more intricate offerings. Apple has been testing various models, particularly within the iPhone range, where they’ve launched models like the iPhone mini, iPhone Plus, and iPhone SE. The iPhone Air, although not an immediate hit, demonstrates potential for improvement.

In contrast, the MacBook Neo has been positively received, suggesting that Apple is progressing well with its product diversification. The key challenge remains to effectively distinguish future models.

#### Ultra versus Pro

The term “Ultra” generally implies the highest performance within a product lineup. For instance, a possible MacBook range could include:

– MacBook Neo
– MacBook Air
– MacBook Pro
– MacBook Ultra

However, the Ultra variant may not necessarily be the most powerful. If the forthcoming MacBook Ultra is aimed at being thinner, it could be thermally constrained when compared to the more substantial MacBook Pro. This creates a distinction where the Ultra conveys a mix of elegance and performance, catering to users who emphasize design in addition to functionality.

#### Reasoning Behind the Ultra Branding

For Apple, the rollout of the Ultra branding offers a strong incentive for consumers to opt for higher-end models. Previous initiatives, such as the 12-inch MacBook and the iPhone 17 Air, revealed that while aesthetics attract interest, consumers are hesitant to compromise on performance. The iPhone Ultra is anticipated to entice those who appreciate form factor, while the Pro models will address users in search of top-notch capabilities.

In the MacBook series, the Ultra could draw in users who admire the MacBook Air’s aesthetics but seek enhanced power without losing portability. This strategy enables Apple to meet varied consumer preferences while steering clear of the confusion that overly complex product lines can create.

### Conclusion

The prospective launch of Apple Ultra products signifies an exhilarating development in Apple’s strategy, offering consumers greater options and motivations to upgrade. As Apple navigates through this new branding landscape, it will be intriguing to observe how these products are embraced in the market and how they integrate into the wider technology offerings.