For nearly three decades, smartphones have ruled our lives—until now. If Mark Zuckerberg is right, their reign is coming to an end. In less than a decade, he predicts that smart glasses will take over as our main connection to the digital world, making smartphones a thing of the past.
It might sound impossible, but the race has already begun. Meta, Apple, and other tech giants are pouring billions into augmented reality (AR) and artificial intelligence (AI) to make this future a reality. The question is: are we really ready to ditch our phones forever?
Are Smartphones on Their Way Out?
We check them hundreds of times a day. They control our schedules, social lives, and even how we shop, but smartphones are becoming more of a burden than a convenience.
Endless notifications. Screen fatigue. The constant need to be “plugged in.” People are getting tired of staring at a handheld screen all day. Tech insiders believe the next big innovation isn’t upgrading smartphones—it’s replacing them entirely.
Zuckerberg envisions a world where you never have to pull a device out of your pocket again. Instead, all your digital interactions—texts, calls, navigation, entertainment—will be seamlessly displayed in front of your eyes using smart glasses.
Meta’s Orion: The Next Step in AR
Zuckerberg’s vision isn’t just speculation—it’s already taking shape.
Meta’s Orion project, revealed at the Meta Connect 2024 event, is described as the most advanced smart glasses ever built. These futuristic glasses feature holographic displays that project virtual images into the real world, making it possible to text, call, or navigate without reaching for a phone.
Unlike previous AR experiments, Orion isn’t just a gadget—it’s designed to completely replace the smartphone. With eye-tracking, voice commands, and hand gestures, users can interact with digital content effortlessly.
Ray-Ban Meta: Smart Glasses Go Mainstream
Meta isn’t stopping with Orion. The company has also partnered with Ray-Ban to bring smart glasses to the masses. The Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses combine Ray-Ban’s signature design with Meta’s AI-driven technology, packing cameras, speakers, and voice control into a stylish frame.
While not as advanced as Orion, these glasses represent a crucial step toward making AR wearables mainstream. If people get comfortable using glasses for music, photos, and calls, the shift away from smartphones will feel more natural.
Source: The Daily Galaxy
