Highlights
- SpaceX may be developing a Starlink-compatible device.
- Musk insists it is not a smartphone.
- Could be optimized for AI and neural network processing.
- Possible integration with xAI’s Grok chatbot.
- Competes with AI devices from OpenAI and Apple.
- Launch details remain unclear, but expectations are high.
Smartphones have looked the same for years—glass and metal slabs with incremental upgrades. Many people feel the industry has lost its freshness. Now, SpaceX, led by Elon Musk, is drawing attention with reports of a new mobile device. But Musk insists it is not a smartphone.
A Starlink-Compatible Device in Development
According to Reuters, SpaceX may be working on a mobile device that connects directly to the Starlink satellite network. This could challenge the traditional smartphone market. However, Musk clarified on X (formerly Twitter) that “we are not making phones.” While details remain unclear, it’s possible SpaceX is designing something entirely new.
Why Not a Smartphone?
SpaceX already partners with T-Mobile in the U.S. to provide Starlink connectivity for existing smartphones. That means the new device is unlikely to be just another communication tool. Musk has previously hinted that if SpaceX built a Starlink-enabled device, it would be very different from today’s phones. He suggested it could be hardware optimized for neural network processing, focusing on AI performance per power consumption.
AI at the Core
This points to a device designed to run AI models locally. Since Musk also owns the AI company xAI, the idea of a gadget that combines Starlink satellite connectivity with access to AI chatbots like Grok makes sense. Such a device would stand apart from smartphones by blending satellite communication and AI processing.
Competition in AI Devices
SpaceX isn’t alone in exploring AI-centered devices. Reports suggest OpenAI is working with designer Jony Ive on a new AI gadget, while Apple is rumored to be considering an AI pin-type device. However, not all attempts succeed—Humane’s AI Pin failed to meet expectations. The big question is whether SpaceX’s “not a phone” device can succeed where others have struggled.
Conclusion
SpaceX’s rumored device could redefine mobile technology. By combining satellite connectivity with AI capabilities, it may offer something completely different from today’s smartphones. While Musk stresses it’s “not a phone,” the project could mark the start of a new category of AI-driven mobile devices.