NEWS YOU CAN’T MISS

Will AI Make Your iPhone Obsolete Next Year?

The tech world is abuzz as OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and legendary designer Jony Ive team up on what could be the most disruptive hardware since the iPhone.

Their $6.5 billion partnership—fueled by OpenAI’s acquisition of Ive’s design firm—aims to create a groundbreaking “AI-native” device.

A New Era: AI Meets Iconic Design

• Ive is best known as the creative genius behind Apple’s most iconic products: the iPhone, iMac, iPod, and Apple Watch.

• Now Ive is leading the design of a new kind of device—one that’s not a phone or a wearable, but a screenless, ambient AI companion.

• This next-generation product is meant to integrate seamlessly into everyday life, reducing screen time while increasing utility through contextual awareness.

The Stakes: $1 Trillion and a Race to 100 Million

OpenAI has bold ambitions. Altman believes this project could add $1 trillion in value to the company. The goal: sell 100 million units faster than any device in history. 🤯

Set for a 2026 debut, this collaboration has Apple on alert. Ive, once Apple’s design soul, is now helping shape its most formidable competition.

📺 Watch this smart 5-min commentary by Bloomberg on this collaboration and why tech giants want to get into hardware.

EngineAI Wants to Be China’s First Robot Unicorn

Chinese robotics startup EngineAI is making headlines with a major new funding push. Founded in late 2023 by robotics veteran Zhao Tongyang, the company is seeking investment at a $1 billion valuation—fueling its rapid growth and global ambition.

With strong government backing, new funding mechanisms, and strategic focus on AI and robotics, China is rapidly positioning itself as a global robotics powerhouse.

At the center of this surge is Shenzhen—China’s hardware and innovation hub—which recently launched two new funds totaling $1 billion to support AI and robotics startups.

Competition is fierce with established players but here’s how EngineAI is different:

• In February 2025, EngineAI’s full-size humanoid robot completed the world’s first front flip—a feat requiring advanced real-time control and dynamic balance, sparking global buzz.

• EngineAI leverages simulation-first design and rapid iteration to shorten development cycles and lower costs. Its SA01 EDU model, priced at just $5,300, brings high-end robotics into reach for schools and research institutions.

• 📺 A viral video of EngineAI’s SE01 humanoid showcasing an impressively natural walking gait drew praise from Nvidia senior research scientist Jim Fan—further elevating the company’s profile.

With groundbreaking tech, aggressive goals, and strong investor backing, EngineAI is leading a new wave in China’s robotics race. One to watch closely.

Smart Toilet for Gut Health: Brilliant or Just Gross?

This company just raised $4 million to build an AI toilet attachment that analyzes your poop.

The aptly named Throne is building an AI-powered toilet attachment that analyzes stool and urine to monitor gut and urological health.

Using computer vision via cameras pointed inside the bowl and anonymized data, the device tracks conditions like IBS, colitis, dehydration (and even menstrual indicators) without requiring a trip to the clinic.

Here's the idea: up to 70–80% of your immune system lives in your gut, making gut health essential for your overall immunity. Yet every day, we flush away valuable health data. Why not capture it, analyze it, and catch chronic issues before they start?

With a 2026 launch on the way, some say it’s a clever step toward smarter health tracking. Others feel it’s just a bit… gross. What do you think?