We’re at a turning point in the way we interact with technology.
Today, smartphones are no longer tools—we orbit around them.
Endless notifications, dopamine-driven design, and passive scrolling have become the norm. We unlock our phones with a purpose in mind… and ten minutes later, we’ve done everything but what we intended. The attention economy has turned our most powerful tools into sources of distraction.
But what if we flipped the model?
What if your phone wasn’t the center of your attention, but a quiet ally—ready when you need it, silent when you don’t?
That’s the idea behind CosmOS.
The Problem: Distraction by Design
Most operating systems today are designed around apps and notifications.
They assume we want to constantly be engaged—news alerts, social media likes, endless badges and banners.
But that doesn’t reflect real human needs.
We don’t want more interaction. We want better, more purposeful interaction.
When I looked at my own usage, I noticed something: I spent more time navigating my phone than actually doing what I needed. I had tools to call, write, create, search, scan—but they were buried in app drawers, lost in icons, or split between services. It felt like my phone was managing me, not the other way around.
The Solution: You, at the Center
CosmOS is a minimalist, AI-powered operating system that revolves around the user.
At its core is a single intelligent entity—a glowing sphere representing your personal AI.
No app grid, no clutter. Just a calm, animated central point that reacts to your input and intention.
From this center, you can choose how you want to interact with your phone:
- 👄 Voice: Speak to write a message, schedule a reminder, get directions, or ask a question. No menus—just intent.
- 📝 Text: When you need to think deeply, write with care, or have a more private moment with your assistant. Text becomes a canvas for complex thought, not just quick replies.
- 👁️ Vision: Activate the camera to explore your surroundings—scan a document, identify a plant, translate a sign, or analyze what you see. No switching apps—just a single fluid gesture.
Each of these interactions is represented by a clean orbital element that gently animates around the core AI. When you activate one, the others fade back. It’s all about focusing on a single mode of interaction at a time—to reduce overload and create presence.
Why It Feels Different
CosmOS is not a “smartphone skin.” It’s a philosophy of interaction.
Instead of creating more engagement, it creates more space.
Instead of throwing 50 apps at you, it asks: What do you need right now?
And because it’s built on top of AI, your phone doesn’t just react—it understands.
It adapts to your rhythm, your preferences, your language. Over time, it becomes less of a machine and more of an extension of your mind.
Examples of Use
You wake up, and without unlocking your phone, you whisper: “What’s my day look like?”
The AI gives you a calm summary of your schedule, the weather, and your sleep report.
You’re in a market abroad and see a label you can’t read.
A swipe activates Vision Mode, and the camera instantly translates and contextualizes the product.
You’re writing a poem, an email, or journaling.
Instead of switching between apps, you drop into Text Mode, where you type freely and collaborate with the AI to refine your thoughts.
Why This Matters
In a world saturated with stimuli, designing for focus is radical.
CosmOS is my vision for an OS that gives the user their time, clarity, and space back.
It’s about reclaiming sovereignty over our attention.
It’s about turning a device into a true companion.
It’s not a rejection of technology—it’s a deeper integration of it.
Not in opposition to humanity, but in service of it.
I hope this concept resonates with you as much as it does with me.
Would love your thoughts, feedback, and ideas on how we can build more mindful digital futures—together.
Have a look at the brief
And get ready to vote for it in the Software Design Community Edition Project !
