AI Devices Are Coming. Will Your Favorite Apps Be Along for the Ride?

Silicon Valley giants like Amazon, Meta, and OpenAI are racing to develop “operating systems” for AI-powered devices—and 2026 is likely the year these efforts will start to take off. The devices are largely built around a future where AI agents can take actions on a user’s behalf, without requiring them to visit an app or website.

In theory, this sounds like an idyllic relationship between humans and technology. But it could rewrite the business model for a huge swath of consumer tech companies.

Instead of tapping through apps filled with ads and upsells, AI devices promise that a user will be able to ask for an outcome, and get it. An AI assistant will—in theory—book your travel, order you lunch, or restock your paper towels. It should be able to figure out which service has what you need and which can offer it quickly and cheaply ...