OpenAI’s Hopeful iPhone Killer

PRESENTED BY KALSHI

Happy Wednesday, Future Party. Traffic jams just got a modern update: Waymos. Apparently, robotaxis across San Francisco stalled during the July 4th fireworks celebration, seemingly unable to handle the unusual road conditions. One even drove straight through a firework. Naturally, that made the typical Independence Day traffic much, much worse. Maybe it just goes to show that robots are more like us than we think — they can’t resist stopping to stare at a great fireworks display.

Bloomberg got the scoop on OpenAI’s first device, which is reportedly a moveable, screenless smart speaker — the “physical manifestation” of ChatGPT.

The Big Picture: OpenAI has made no secret of its ambition to create a smartphone killer, so designing a device without the smartphone’s hallmark feature — the screen — was always in the cards. Its adoption could reshape how people interact with technology today… while the inverse would prove that screens remain the primary way people want to interact with their devices.

Behind The Device: OpenAI’s first device is all about the chat.

Closing Thoughts: Like many things involving OpenAI, the company’s device rollout comes with a cache full of drama. Apple, which recently partnered with OpenAI, has sued the company for allegedly stealing insider information that accelerated the device’s development. The battle goes beyond a corporate clash — some of Silicon Valley’s top talent is caught in the middle. That includes device designer Jony Ive (Apple’s former chief design officer), OpenAI Chief Hardware Officer Tang Tan (Apple’s former head of iPhone product design), and over 400 ex-Apple employees who now work at the AI startup.

With OpenAI’s device slated for release in 2027, Apple appears to be doing everything in its power to delay it until it can unveil its own next-generation smart devices.

The Future: Prepare for OpenAI’s device to be officially unveiled before its blockbuster IPO — giving shareholders a shiny new object to get excited about.

And you don’t even need shin guards.

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Decades-old IKEA furniture has become Gen Z’s latest statement piece.

Why It Hits: Gen Z’s preference for secondhand and thrifted clothes is now extending to furniture. It’s a reminder that today’s “basic” items could become tomorrow’s collectibles… so don’t throw anything away.

Between The Shelves: IKEA is already every young person’s go-to furniture brand thanks to its ubiquity and low prices — but it’s the Swedish retailer’s older pieces that are giving off a timeless charm.

Last Looks: Items that have caught the attention of young collectors were typically manufactured before IKEA’s US debut in 1985 and are made from sturdy materials like plastic, hardwood, and metal — a stark contrast to IKEA’s current reputation for furniture that falls apart in five to 10 years. They also tend to come from IKEA design legends like Niels Gammelgaard, Nike Karlsson, and Verner Panton, or from its experimental PS collection.

According to The WSJ, young collectors are gravitating toward these pieces because of a “combination of nostalgia, appreciation for good design, and recognition of future value.” Who knew hoarding IKEA furniture would become the new sneaker culture?

The Future: IKEA is already leaning into the vintage trend with the 2023 rollout of Nytillverkad — a collection of reissued designs made with updated materials. Expect fashion brands, tech companies, and other retailers to follow suit to tap into Gen Z’s nostalgia budget.

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48.6% of you voted Yes, I’m a regular shopper in yesterday’s poll: Are you a Costco person?

“I just got back from there. Went in for bananas, cottage cheese, and tomatoes, but walked out with over $200 worth of who knows what?”

“We’ve been members since it was Price Club! Great meat, produce, and staples. Plus eyeglasses, car rentals, and vacations. I could go on and on!”

“I was initiated in March of 2020.”

“It’s the only retailer I have strong feelings about. I live overseas now, and although Costcos in Europe are few and far between, I make a point of visiting the one closest to my city at least once a month.”

“Why is it such a big deal? They won’t come to Texas. So, I don’t care.”

“I live alone. Costco quantities make no sense for me.”

Let’s keep the conversation going. Join Poll Of The Day, so your opinions can shine. Discover how your views line up with your peers’, check out cool insights, and have some fun. It’s data with personality.

💰 After its divorce from Starz, Lionsgate’s Studio division is reportedly up for sale.

🎥 Tennessee is trying to convince David Ellison to move Paramount’s HQ to the state.

⚽ The FIFA World Cup Final has added Jennifer Hudson to sing the national anthem… and a special (probably stunty) appearance by Tom Cruise.

🤖 Anyone can now try Apple’s new AI-powered Siri in the beta version of iOS 27.

📉 After announcing an impending profit miss, IBM lost $69 billion in value — its largest-ever single-day drop.

🛑 New York has imposed a one-year moratorium on new data centers that consume 50 megawatts or more of power.

🎽 Nike outfitted tennis star Jannik Sinner in its experimental Radical Airflow shirt at Wimbledon, which allegedly feels like wearing an AC unit on your body.

👕 Clothing startup Shelly Xu Designs is using AI to reconfigure clothing patterns and manufacture garments more sustainably.

👀 Are you trying to get away with “friendly fraud” at your bank?