The Phone is No More: What Comes Next?

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    <h2>True Ventures Co-Founder Jon Callaghan: The Future of Smartphones is Under Threat</h2>

    <p id="speakable-summary" class="wp-block-paragraph">True Ventures co-founder Jon Callaghan believes that the way we use smartphones will drastically change in the next five to ten years.</p>

    <h3>True Ventures' Unique Approach to Innovation</h3>

    <p class="wp-block-paragraph">As a prominent venture capitalist with notable successes—including brands like Fitbit, Ring, and Peloton—Callaghan's insights are far from mere speculation. They form the basis of True Ventures' investment strategy.</p>

    <h3>Operating Quietly but Effectively</h3>

    <p class="wp-block-paragraph">Despite managing approximately $6 billion across 12 core seed funds and four opportunity-style funds, True Ventures often flies under the radar. While other firms focus on publicity, True cultivates a close-knit network of repeat founders, contributing to their impressive record of 63 successful exits and seven IPOs from a portfolio of around 300 companies over 20 years.</p>

    <h3>Identifying Trends in Human-Computer Interaction</h3>

    <p class="wp-block-paragraph">In the ever-evolving landscape dominated by AI hype, Callaghan's vision stands out. He firmly states, “We’re not going to be using iPhones in 10 years.” Even in five years, he predicts a transformation in how we engage with smartphones.</p>

    <h3>The Inefficiency of Current Mobile Interfaces</h3>

    <p class="wp-block-paragraph">According to Callaghan, smartphones fall short as the primary interface between humans and technology. He critiques the current method of texting and emailing as inefficient, prone to errors, and disruptive to daily life.</p>

    <h3>Pioneering New Interaction Methods</h3>

    <p class="wp-block-paragraph">Understanding this challenge, True Ventures has invested years exploring alternative interfaces, whether software or hardware-based. This includes early investments in Fitbit, Peloton, and Ring, all of which demonstrated new, intuitive ways for consumers to engage with technology.</p>

    <h3>Introducing Sandbar: The Future of Thought Capture</h3>

    <p class="wp-block-paragraph">The latest embodiment of Callaghan's vision is Sandbar, a hardware device he describes as a “thought companion.” This voice-activated ring focuses on capturing and organizing thoughts through voice notes, filling a critical gap in current technology. “It does one thing really well,” he affirms.</p>

    <h3>A Partnership Built on Shared Vision</h3>

    <p class="wp-block-paragraph">True’s interest in Sandbar was driven not just by the product but by the shared vision with founders Mina Fahmi and Kirak Hong. The duo's previous work on neural interfaces at CTRL-Labs showcased their innovative approach to technology.</p>

    <h3>Investing in Behavioral Change, Not Just Gadgets</h3>

    <p class="wp-block-paragraph">Callaghan emphasizes the importance of betting on new behaviors rather than new devices. True Ventures maintains a disciplined investment approach, focusing on seed checks of $3 million to $6 million for 15% to 20% ownership, distancing itself from the billion-dollar funding frenzy common in today's AI landscape.</p>

    <h3>Cautious Optimism Amid AI Hype</h3>

    <p class="wp-block-paragraph">While Callaghan acknowledges the potential for transformative AI technologies, he also identifies warning signs in the heavy capital demands of the current cycle. Nonetheless, he believes the most significant value lies in new applications that will emerge from evolving technology interfaces.</p>

    <h3>Recognizing Shifts in Technology Interaction</h3>

    <p class="wp-block-paragraph">Callaghan’s investment philosophy reflects an intuitive understanding of emerging trends. He points to a saturation in the smartphone market, contrasting it with the rapid growth of wearables and voice-enabled devices, indicating a shift in how people wish to interact with technology.</p>

    <h3>Stay Tuned for More Insights</h3>

    <p class="wp-block-paragraph"><em>Pictured above, Sandbar’s Stream ring. For a deeper dive into Callaghan's insights, catch our conversation on the <a target="_blank" rel="nofollow" href="https://open.spotify.com/show/76SeToo8Rxj8hRTE0iQwWZ">StrictlyVC Download</a> podcast, with new episodes every Tuesday.</em></p>
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