There’s been a lot of discussion about AI-powered products that could eventually let people go about their day without relying on an iPhone. What surprises me is that Apple and Meta seem convinced this product will take the form of glasses. To me, it’s obvious that glasses won’t win, simply because most of us don’t like wearing them all the time. Needing to pull out and put on glasses would be even more inconvenient than picking up a flat metal object hundreds of times a day.

My prediction is that the device that ultimately replaces the phone will be the earbud. Unlike glasses, earbuds already enjoy massive cultural acceptance. People love audio in any form and voluntarily listen to music, podcasts, and stories all day long. They are used to tune out and tune in. Earbuds are minimal, discreet, and already a natural part of how we interact with technology. They could be enhanced with cameras, microphones, and sensors. When visual feedback is needed, earbuds could project light onto a wall or even the user’s own hand, creating a display only when necessary. For the hearing-impaired, haptic feedback could provide an accessible alternative. And in early versions, earbuds could still connect to a more powerful companion device.

The flexibility and current usage patterns makes the earbud the most likely candidate. Coupled with AI, theses devices will provide the winning user experience one that finally breaks free from constant screen interaction.