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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Sure! Here are five FAQs based on the phrase "The phone is dead. Long live . . . what exactly?"

FAQ 1: What does "The phone is dead" mean?

Answer: "The phone is dead" typically refers to a smartphone or mobile device that has run out of battery or is malfunctioning. It can also signify the end of an era for traditional phones as technology evolves.

FAQ 2: What does "Long live . . . what exactly?" imply in this context?

Answer: The phrase "Long live . . . what exactly?" highlights the transition or continuation of technology despite the decline of older devices. It invites curiosity about what new technology or innovations will take their place.

FAQ 3: What are some examples of technologies that might replace traditional phones?

Answer: Potential replacements for traditional phones include wearable devices, smart glasses, or augmented reality platforms. These technologies offer new ways to communicate and interact without relying solely on handheld devices.

FAQ 4: Is this phrase a commentary on societal dependence on smartphones?

Answer: Yes, the phrase suggests a reflection on our reliance on smartphones and considers the implications of their decline. It encourages a discussion about alternative technologies and lifestyles that may arise from this shift.

FAQ 5: How can I prepare for a future where traditional phones are obsolete?

Answer: To prepare for a future without traditional phones, stay informed about emerging technologies, explore wearable and advanced communication tools, and cultivate skills for adapting to new platforms. Embracing flexibility and openness to change will be crucial.

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Assort Health Secures $50M to Streamline Patient Phone Call Automation, Sources Reveal

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  <h2>Assort Health Secures $50 Million in Series B Funding, Accelerating AI-Driven Patient Communication</h2>

  <p id="speakable-summary" class="wp-block-paragraph">Assort Health, an innovative startup leveraging AI to streamline patient communication in specialty healthcare practices, has successfully raised approximately $50 million in a Series B funding round, achieving a valuation of $750 million. This significant financing comes merely four months after their <a target="_blank" href="https://www.assorthealth.com/blog/assort-health-secures-26-million-in-funding-to-expand-specialty-specific-generative-ai-platform-for-managing-patient-phone-calls" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow">$22 million Series A</a>, and was led by Lightspeed Venture Partners, according to reliable sources.</p>

  <h3>Transforming Patient Interactions with AI</h3>
  <p class="wp-block-paragraph">The startup's AI voice agents tackle high-volume administrative tasks such as scheduling, cancellations, and common inquiries, traditionally handled by front desk personnel. This allows human staff to concentrate on more complex and sensitive patient interactions.</p>

  <h3>Rising Demand for AI Solutions in Healthcare</h3>
  <p class="wp-block-paragraph">Assort Health is part of a growing trend among startups that are securing funding to automate patient communications, reducing phone call volumes for medical offices. Recently, EliseAI announced a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/eliseai-raises-250-million-a16z-led-round-expand-healthcare-2025-08-20/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow">$250 million Series E</a>, led by Andreessen Horowitz, achieving a valuation of $2.2 billion. Similarly, Hello Patient raised a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.hellopatient.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow">$20 million Series A</a> this month at a $100 million valuation, led by Scale Venture Partners.</p>

  <h3>AI at the Forefront of Healthcare Innovation</h3>
  <p class="wp-block-paragraph">The healthcare sector is increasingly adopting AI, exemplified by the rise of medical scribing solutions from companies like Abridge and Ambience Healthcare. Investors are now keen on capitalizing on the potential of AI in enhancing patient communication.</p>

  <h3>Enhancing Patient Retention for Specialty Care</h3>
  <p class="wp-block-paragraph">Assort Health focuses on small and medium-sized specialty care offices that often struggle with long wait times. By providing quick responses through AI agents, these offices can reduce patient loss to competitors.</p>

  <h3>Rapid Growth and Expansion into New Specialties</h3>
  <p class="wp-block-paragraph">While Assort Health's annual recurring revenue (ARR) exceeds $3 million, it is experiencing rapid growth. Originally centered on orthopedic and physical care, the startup has broadened its services to include OB-GYN, dermatology, and dentistry.</p>

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  <h3>Founders with a Vision</h3>
  <p class="wp-block-paragraph">Founded two years ago by Jon Wang, a former medical student turned entrepreneur, and Jeff Liu, a former Facebook engineer, Assort Health represents the convergence of healthcare knowledge and tech innovation.</p>

  <p class="wp-block-paragraph">At this time, neither Lightspeed Venture Partners nor Assort Health has responded to requests for comments.</p>
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Here are five FAQs based on the news that Assort Health has secured $50 million to automate patient phone calls:

FAQs

1. What is the purpose of Assort Health’s $50 million funding?

Assort Health aims to use the $50 million funding to enhance its technology for automating patient phone calls. This initiative is designed to streamline communication between healthcare providers and patients, reducing the administrative burden on staff and improving patient engagement.

2. How will automated phone calls benefit patients?

Automated phone calls can provide patients with timely reminders for appointments, medication refills, and health check-ins. This can help ensure that patients stay informed about their healthcare needs, leading to better health outcomes and improved adherence to treatment plans.

3. What technology does Assort Health utilize for automation?

Assort Health leverages advanced voice recognition and artificial intelligence technologies to facilitate seamless automated conversations. This allows for natural interactions that can effectively address patient inquiries and concerns without human intervention.

4. How might this funding impact healthcare providers?

The automation of patient calls can significantly reduce the workload on healthcare staff, allowing them to focus on more critical tasks such as direct patient care. This can lead to increased efficiency in practice operations and improve overall patient satisfaction.

5. When can we expect to see the results of this funding?

While specific timelines are not disclosed, Assort Health will likely implement the new automated solutions in phases. Patients and healthcare providers can expect to see gradual improvements in communication processes as the technology is developed and integrated into existing systems over the coming months.

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Unveiling Phi-3: Microsoft’s Pocket-Sized Powerhouse Language Model for Your Phone

In the rapidly evolving realm of artificial intelligence, Microsoft is challenging the status quo by introducing the Phi-3 Mini, a small language model (SLM) that defies the trend of larger, more complex models. The Phi-3 Mini, now in its third generation, is packed with 3.8 billion parameters, matching the performance of large language models (LLMs) on tasks such as language processing, coding, and math. What sets the Phi-3 Mini apart is its ability to operate efficiently on mobile devices, thanks to quantization techniques.

Large language models come with their own set of challenges, requiring substantial computational power, posing environmental concerns, and risking biases in their training datasets. Microsoft’s Phi SLMs address these challenges by offering a cost-effective and efficient solution for integrating advanced AI directly onto personal devices like smartphones and laptops. This streamlined approach enhances user interaction with technology in various everyday scenarios.

The design philosophy behind Phi models is rooted in curriculum learning, a strategy that involves progressively challenging the AI during training to enhance learning. The Phi series, starting with Phi-1 and evolving into Phi-3 Mini, has showcased impressive capabilities in reasoning, language comprehension, and more, outperforming larger models in certain tasks.

Phi-3 Mini stands out among other small language models like Google’s Gemma and Meta’s Llama3-Instruct, demonstrating superior performance in language understanding, general knowledge, and medical question answering. By compressing the model through quantization, Phi-3 Mini can efficiently run on limited-resource devices, making it ideal for mobile applications.

Despite its advancements, Phi-3 Mini does have limitations, particularly in storing extensive factual knowledge. However, integrating the model with a search engine can mitigate this limitation, allowing the model to access real-time information and provide accurate responses. Phi-3 Mini is now available on various platforms, offering a deploy-evaluate-finetune workflow and compatibility with different hardware types.

In conclusion, Microsoft’s Phi-3 Mini is revolutionizing the field of artificial intelligence by bringing the power of large language models to mobile devices. This model not only enhances user interaction but also reduces reliance on cloud services, lowers operational costs, and promotes sustainability in AI operations. With a focus on reducing biases and maintaining competitive performance, Phi-3 Mini is paving the way for efficient and sustainable mobile AI applications, transforming our daily interactions with technology.





Phi-3 FAQ

Phi-3 FAQ

1. What is Phi-3?

Phi-3 is a powerful language model developed by Microsoft that has been designed to fit into mobile devices, providing users with access to advanced AI capabilities on their smartphones.

2. How does Phi-3 benefit users?

  • Phi-3 allows users to perform complex language tasks on their phones without requiring an internet connection.
  • It enables smooth interactions with AI-powered features like virtual assistants and language translation.
  • Phi-3 enhances the overall user experience by providing quick and accurate responses to user queries.

3. Is Phi-3 compatible with all smartphone models?

Phi-3 is designed to be compatible with a wide range of smartphone models, ensuring that users can enjoy its benefits regardless of their device’s specifications. However, it is recommended to check with Microsoft for specific compatibility requirements.

4. How does Phi-3 ensure user privacy and data security?

Microsoft has implemented robust security measures in Phi-3 to protect user data and ensure privacy. The model is designed to operate locally on the user’s device, minimizing the risk of data exposure through external servers or networks.

5. Can Phi-3 be used for business applications?

Yes, Phi-3 can be utilized for a variety of business applications, including customer support, data analysis, and content generation. Its advanced language processing capabilities make it a valuable tool for enhancing productivity and efficiency in various industries.



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