Dr Asangba Tzudir
Mark Zuckerberg has recently made a bold prediction about the future of technology, that, Big tech is quietly preparing for a major shift while announcing the end of Mobile Phones, a device which we rely on every day. For nearly thirty years, smart phones have dominated modern life, but according to Mark Zuckerberg, this era may soon end. The facebook founder predicts that, in about a decade smart glasses will replace smart phones. Now in the primary digital information access, If he is right, the way we interact with technology will change drastically. Though it will be the same for those who are not ‘governed’ or ‘let governed/controlled’ by technology. For instance, those who are also not tech savvy, they will still go by say Windows 7 or keypad phones.
As much as smart phones have been become quite addictive for many besides its usefulness, there is also a realization about its effects arising out of screen fatigue, endless notifications, and the overall uncertain issues that comes with technological devices, and where reliance on handheld devices are becoming increasingly frustrating, an alternative that is hands free, augmented reality technology will be more appealing. Tech insiders are also of the opinion that the next wave of technology and innovation will not be about improving the smart phone, rather they are looking at replacement that offers a better alternative.
Zuckerberg envisions a world where people interact hands free and where everything will be seamlessly displayed through smart glasses. As reported in The Indian Express, dt. 8 Feb 2025, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg “has revealed that the company has already sold more than a million pairs of its Augmented Reality-powered Ray-Ban smart glasses with plans to eventually sell “hundreds of millions and eventually billions of AI glasses.” Titled “2025: The Year of Greatness”, the memo suggests that Meta is planning to launch a new AI-powered augmented reality-based smart glass with a built-in display. Code-named “Hypernova”, the smart glasses will have a display on the bottom of the right lens that will display information like notifications, show photos taken by the device and help translate conversations in real time.”
As technology and applications pursues smartness, texting, making calls, checking the news, and even navigating streets will be done without having to look at the smart phone screen. Smart glasses will not just display information, but will act as intelligent personal assistants, capacitated to respond to voice commands, providing instant translations, besides enhancing many things. However, a lot will now depend on AI and augmented reality. While Zuckerberg’s prediction is bold, it is not that smart phones will just disappear. There are certain aspects where consumers will not compromise even if technology is advanced. Consumers will not compromise on battery life or privacy concerns which the current smart glasses are struggling with. As such, Smart glasses may not be taken as an alternative to smart phones but an option, and there will be users who may prefer sticking to their phones instead of trying new things. The scenario may change a bit though if the issues with smart glassed are resolved. But questions remain as to its coming as an alternative.
Yes, landlines were replaced by mobile phones having different designs with the most attractive one being the flip phones, and then smart phones took over. But, for now, even with the coming of smart glasses it is difficult to envisage a life without smart phones, and the generational divide will always be there and so a technology will both be governed by usefulness and uselessness. Today, based on one’s situational context there are people who use dual handsets, and very likely, with the coming of smart glasses, there will be people who may not switch over but use both while others stick to the smart phones unless otherwise compelled by one’s situation.
However, there is no denying the fact that the way we interact with technology is going to change, and these technological advancements only call upon the rational beings to exercise wisdom.
(Dr Asangba Tzudir writes weekly guest editorials for The Morung Express. Comments can be emailed to asangtz@gmail.com)
