Worldcoin to Launch Sleeker ‘Apple-Like’ Orb Device This Year
Worldcoin, the crypto startup aiming to give every human a digital identity, plans to release a redesigned version of its controversial Orb iris scanning device in the first half of 2024.
Co-founder Alex Blania revealed to TechCrunch that the next model will shift to a more subdued look and multiple colors to appear friendlier and closer to a consumer gadget.
“The new orb is coming and the next iterations will look quite different,” Blania said during a fireside chat at a StrictlyVC event.
Key details:
- A new Orb launching in H1 2024.
- The revised design is more “tuned down.”
- Wider color options beyond the chrome sphere.
- Form factor changes for alternate models.
- Compares the future look to Apple products.
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The current Orb stands out with a striking chrome sphere appearance and weighs five pounds. However, Blania admits that much of the feedback in the U.S. focuses on aesthetics. The upcoming iteration aims to feel more approachable while retaining strong identity-proofing capabilities.
Worldcoin is Beta Testing Next Gen Orbs
His statements indicate next-generation Orbs are already being field-tested ahead of the official release. Worldcoin uses the devices to scan human irises and assign registered participants a unique World ID for accessing its services.
The startup views this process as key to bridging the gap between physical and digital identities. Over 190,977 new sign-ups occurred in the past week, bringing total enrollment to over 3.1 million users so far.
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Early trials of the first Orb spanned locales like Argentina, Portugal, India, and Kenya, where uptake proved high but critiques emerged over targeting developing nations. The coming Orb revision suggests the startup also takes product design seriously as adoption expands.
