Get ready for a brand new look for Worldcoin’s Orb device, as the company is gearing up to launch its latest iteration with a more “friendly” design. According to Alex Blania, CEO and co-founder of Tools for Humanity, the next Orb will resemble an “Apple product,” bringing a sleek and modern aesthetic to the futuristic device.
During a recent fireside chat at a StrictlyVC event, Blania revealed that this update has been in the works for quite some time. “The new orb is coming” and will feature alternative colors and form factors, marking a departure from its current design. Blania, who joined the company four years ago, noted that the initial design was in place before his time at Tools for Humanity.
The new Orb is set to debut in the first half of this year and aims to be much more approachable with its revamped appearance. “Way [more] tuned down” and “much more friendly” were just a few of the phrases Blania used to describe the upcoming device, which will closely resemble the iconic products from tech giant Apple.
Tools for Humanity, the company behind Worldcoin, has made a name for itself in both the venture capital and cryptocurrency spaces with its Orb device. This unique device scans people’s irises and assigns them a “World ID” to access Worldcoin’s application and a digital passport. The goal is to verify individuals’ identities and prevent duplicate accounts.
However, the Orb’s design has garnered mixed reactions from the public. Blania admitted that many people in the U.S. are “obsessed” with it, but also acknowledged that it may not appeal to everyone. “People either ‘hate it or they love it,'” he shared.
Despite any skepticism, at a recent StrictlyVC event, “a couple dozen” attendees were willing to scan their irises in exchange for a World ID, according to a Tools for Humanity employee. The employee also revealed that the new Orb has been undergoing “field testing.”
During its beta testing phase, the Orb focused on adoption in cities such as Buenos Aires, Argentina; Nairobi, Kenya; Lisbon, Portugal; and Bangalore, India. However, this sparked criticism from some who believed that it targeted developing economies. To expand its reach, Worldcoin embarked on a global tour, making stops in Tokyo, Miami, New York City, and San Francisco in 2021.
Currently, the Worldcoin website boasts over 3 million sign-ups and has seen over 190,000 new accounts in the past week alone. Blania’s simple goal is to reach billions of users as quickly as possible, and with the new and improved Orb, that goal may very well become a reality.
[…] is getting ready to launch a new version of its Orb device, designed to make the futuristic eyeball scanning technology appear more approachable. According to […]