Smartphones are undeniably the most optimal carrier for AIOS.

Computer visionary Alan Kay once proclaimed, "Those who genuinely care about software will inevitably create their own hardware."

Indeed, AI has infiltrated various hardware sectors, continually exploring new application landscapes. AI isn't merely a software implant; it necessitates a transformation in hardware form to better complement large models. Smartphones, once mere tools for communication, entertainment, and work, are evolving into carriers of large AI models. Or rather, it's the advent of AI that has made smartphones even more "intelligent".

Four years ago, the Nut smartphone business underwent significant adjustments, with ByteDance announcing the integration of the new Smartisan team into the educational hardware division. Nut (Smartisan) smartphones faltered on the cusp of the AI era, which was indeed regrettable. After completing his debt repayment journey, Luo Yonghao, the founder of Smartisan Technology, has set his sights on a new entrepreneurial venture – AI hardware. Initially, it seemed there would be no further involvement with smartphones, but his recent interactions with netizens have inevitably stirred up emotions among his loyal fans.

(Image from Weibo)

A dedicated Nut smartphone user expressed on social media that they have sequentially upgraded from the T1 to the Nut R1 and Nut R2 since May 20, 2014. Currently, the R2 is barely hanging on, and with Smartisan Technology no longer producing smartphones, they anticipate their next phone will be a Xiaomi.

This post caught the attention of Luo Yonghao himself, who responded, "It's hard to say. Simply re-entering the smartphone market would be meaningless, but for AIOS...", quoting Alan Kay's aforementioned saying. Netizens commented, "Is it true? I hope it's stunning," to which Luo Yonghao affirmed, "Yes, beauty is just the basics."

These responses have sparked widespread anticipation. Could it be that Luo Yonghao will once again venture into the "non-traditional" smartphone market for AIOS?

Is Luo Yonghao returning to his roots with AIOS?

Meizu's strategic pivot still leaves a lasting impression.

On February 18, 2024, Meizu officially announced the cessation of new projects for traditional "smartphones" and would focus solely on AI to create AI Devices, leveraging AI to reimagine the Flyme system. The subsequently unveiled Meizu 21 PRO was officially branded as an "AI terminal." Concurrently, Meizu also unveiled various AI strategies, including but not limited to de-apping and opening up hardware to large model teams like OpenAI to enhance AI hardware.

What struck me the most was Meizu's vision for AI devices, mentioning a capability akin to "autonomous driving," where users input commands, AI handles intermediate mechanical operations, and decision-making power is returned to the user only at the payment stage, eliminating many cumbersome interactions.

(Image from Starry Starry Meizu)

The reason for mentioning Meizu is that I believe the hardware based on AIOS that Luo Yonghao refers to shares a similar approach with that of Meizu and other smartphone manufacturers, namely, transforming smartphones into platforms for AIOS.

There were hints of Luo Yonghao re-entering the smartphone market last year. In February 2024, the National Enterprise Credit Information Disclosure System revealed that Thin Red Line, a company under Luo Yonghao, had added the business of "manufacturing and sales of mobile terminal devices." Coupled with Luo Yonghao's rich experience and supply chain network accumulated during the Smartisan smartphone era, there are theoretically few obstacles or difficulties in launching another smartphone.

Apart from the hardware's aesthetic appeal, Luo Yonghao has not disclosed much substantive information to netizens, leaving many questions unanswered.

For now, it's not out of the question that Thin Red Line may develop an "AI hardware akin to a smartphone" if necessary. However, one thing is certain: even if it resembles a smartphone, it's a product centered around AIOS and fundamentally different from a "traditional smartphone".

After transitioning from AR to AI, Luo Yonghao's Thin Red Line company launched its first product, the J1 Assistant AI. LeiTech had the opportunity to experience it and concluded that it had a distinct "Smartisan flair," incorporating features like Smartisan Notes, Bullet Messages, Dealer, and AI chat, showcasing Luo Yonghao's unique insights into AI products.

(Image from LeiTech)

Simultaneously, an AI hardware called "JARVIS ONE" appeared on the Matter official website. It's a "native AI hardware" composed of modules like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, fingerprint recognition, and microphones. From its design, it resembles a "new species" akin to the Rabbit R1.

However, in my opinion, this native AI hardware is still in the conceptual stage, lacking a comprehensive service system to support it, and its usability is far inferior to that of mature smartphones. For this reason, Luo Yonghao's resumption of the smartphone business may have its own strategic considerations.

AI Smartphones for Market Penetration, Native AI Hardware for Innovation

The advent of AI technology has redefined the role of smartphones.

As mentioned earlier, Meizu's All in AI strategy primarily involves transforming smartphones into platforms for AIOS. The trend towards smartphone AI is evident, with various smartphone manufacturers actively integrating AI functionalities, such as AI-powered photo enhancement, AI writing, AI chat, AI photography, etc., primarily focusing on generative capabilities in the early stages.

In fact, the next phase of AI smartphones is already emerging, including the "autonomous driving"-like function highlighted by Honor at the Magic7 launch event, where users input a command, and the AI assistant outputs the execution steps, significantly reducing human-computer interaction and enhancing the interaction efficiency of intelligent devices.

This is automation technology that can only be realized by a native AI operating system, fundamentally different from traditional AI systems enhanced based on the original system architecture. Over time, this automated operation can reshape users' device usage habits, and the software ecosystem will also evolve. When users no longer frequently interact with software interfaces and smartphone screens, software will "recede" into the background, becoming a service, and screens will gradually "degrade," evolving into native AI hardware like Rabbit R1 and JARVIS ONE.

But such an evolution is a lengthy process. Native AI hardware is too avant-garde, with service support and market awareness yet to be established, lacking a suitable environment for "new species." For this reason, AIOS needs a platform that is more aligned with the current market, and I believe that smartphones are the most ideal platform. Or rather, products based on existing forms like smartphones and PCs are well-suited for the growth of AIOS.

(Image from Doubao AI)

The main reason is that the form of smartphones better meets the current market demand for mobile terminals, boasting a stable and mature software and hardware ecosystem and a substantial consumer base, making them an ideal platform for AIOS. After all, any technology that isn't deployed in the market and isn't standardized and systematically adapted remains just talk, no matter how advanced it is.

For Luo Yonghao's Thin Red Line company, smartphones are a crucial platform for AIOS, enabling more people to discover and access the JARVIS AI assistant. Firstly, a recognizable hardware is essential. Furthermore, Luo Yonghao himself is a pro at making smartphones, with innovative concepts like TNT that blur the lines between smartphones and large screens. The effectiveness of promoting AI through smartphones far surpasses that of native AI hardware like JARVIS ONE.

AI Smartphones for market penetration, native AI hardware for innovation – this is probably what Luo Yonghao thinks too.

AI Hardware Boom: "Stability" Trumps "Success"

Since its debut on January 9, 2024, Rabbit R1's market performance has been mixed. Pre-orders exceeded 10,000 units within 24 hours of its first sale, far surpassing Rabbit's expectations. As of May 2024, Rabbit R1's cumulative sales have surpassed 100,000 units, and prices on some second-hand websites have even skyrocketed, reaching a peak of $1,999.

However, it didn't take long for the market to realize that Rabbit R1 was just a novelty tech product with shortcomings like short battery life, slow response times, incomplete service support, inability to provide effective advice, and was even questioned as an "Android shell." This "new species" failed to ignite new demand in the AI era, let alone replace smartphones.

Indeed, various concepts like Rabbit R1 showcase simpler, more convenient, and more intelligent capabilities than smartphones. AI Pin and Luo Yonghao's JARVIS ONE differ in product concepts but share the common goal of creating a new generation of hardware leveraging the capabilities of large AI models.

In my opinion, the reason for Rabbit R1's failure is mainly that the supporting services and capabilities of large models are still inadequate to support the development of these native AI hardware, unable to connect with smartphones to handle users' diverse daily needs and establish market awareness. Once the novelty wears off, the drawbacks of these products become apparent. Luo Yonghao once asked fans to be ready to welcome their AI product for $299, but whether JARVIS ONE can succeed in the current environment is probably something he himself is well aware of.

In summary, native AI hardware is still too futuristic, and the solution is right in front of us – adapting to the current market demand. Those who genuinely care about software will create their own hardware. We still don't know what Luo Yonghao's "non-traditional" AI device is, but I anticipate it will have some connection with smartphones. However, as an idealist, he won't easily compromise with such an "outdated product form".

In the smartphone industry, Luo Yonghao was also a visionary figure during his time. When peers were refining metal back covers, Smartisan smartphones adopted 3D double-sided glass back covers and introduced the first affordable screen protection insurance plan. Nowadays, many interactive features of operating systems originate from Smartisan OS. If Luo Yonghao were to create AI hardware in a form similar to smartphones, I believe it would stand out from the crowd.

Luo Yonghao aims to create a product in the AI era that has the same disruptive impact as the original iPhone. It may be with such aspirations that he conceived JARVIS ONE. However, I believe that in this fiercely competitive market, stability may be more crucial than success.

The likelihood of him "returning to his roots" is not high, but I am eagerly anticipating what this non-traditional AI device with AIOS will look like.

Source: LeiTech