Nothing CEO Carl Pei loves taking digs at Apple occasionally. Whether it is about their product or a new hiring, Carl Pei always has something to say about his company’s biggest competitor. Hence, when Pei was asked about creativity in a recent interview, he couldn’t resist bringing up Apple. This time, he expresses his disappointment at how Apple has lost its mojo.
In a lengthy conversation with Wired on the future of his company and his views on AI, Carl Pei talked a great deal about creativity and innovation, something which Apple doesn’t relate to.
“Apple today is very different from the Apple when I was younger. Last year, they told a very big story about Apple Intelligence. Now, a year later, it’s not much more than some generated emojis. So it’s made consumers very skeptical,” said Pei when asked about Nothing’s growth plans and how he wishes to achieve them.
“Personally, I was very inspired by Apple when I was younger—the first iPod, the first iPhone—that’s the reason I’m in this industry,” says Pei. However, in modern times, these companies have embraced the corporate culture and hence, creativity has taken a hit, elaborates Pei. That is something where Nothing wants to do something, i.e., be inspiring to youngsters.
Smartphones crucial for AI, says Nothing CEO
Moving over his disappointment in Apple, Pei also spoke a great deal about the rising trend of AI. He believes that smartphones are crucial to the growth of AI as a category rather than other form factors like Humane’s AI Pin and smart glasses.
“A smartphone is like 1 billion units per year. It is the largest and most diverse market. We use smartphones for everything, and the key to good AI is data. I don’t think any other device will be as important for AI as the smartphone for the foreseeable future,” says the Nothing founder.
When asked about the future of smartphones, Pei believes that the smartphone OS will negate the need for apps. “The OS will know its user well and will be optimized for that person,” he added.
