OpenAI transformed the artificial intelligence landscape with the release of ChatGPT, and it seems determined to usher in the next wave of AI innovation once again. CEO Sam Altman and tech designer Jony Ive have announced a partnership that will bring OpenAI firmly into the realm of consumer hardware, with the goal of developing a “family of devices.”
What’s Known About OpenAI’s Device
OpenAI’s upcoming device is expected to be screenless, pocket-sized and similar in appearance to the iPod Shuffle. It’s also expected to connect with existing gadgets like computers and smartphones to facilitate smoother interactions.
Altman has described these new devices as a “new generation of AI-powered computers,” although details about what that means remain scarce. Even so, a vague picture of OpenAI’s first physical product is beginning to take shape. Here’s what we know so far — and how it could change the ways people interact with everyday technologies.
What We Know About OpenAI’s New Device
While OpenAI has kept much of its new gadget under wraps, a few details have emerged. It’s expected to be pocket-sized, screenless and contextually aware, gathering information from its surroundings and experiences through built-in cameras and microphones. The device will likely run on OpenAI’s latest AI model, enabling it to interact with users and its environment. It will also be able to communicate with other devices like phones and computers, integrating with existing tech ecosystems rather than replacing core technologies.
Exactly what the device will look like remains to be seen. It likely won’t resemble a smartphone because it’s screenless, and it’s unlikely to be a wearable device like a smartwatch or pair of smart glasses. There has been some speculation that it could resemble an iPod Shuffle attached to a string worn around a user’s neck to facilitate hands-free use, but this hasn’t been confirmed.
The only certainty around OpenAI’s device is that it will be something unique — neither cellphone nor wearable, it will create a brand-new category of physical technology.
What We Know About OpenAI’s Partnership with Jony Ive
OpenAI’s venture into hardware is grounded in a partnership with Jony Ive. Ive is a renowned designer best known for his time at Apple, where he helped create popular products like the iPod, iPhone and iPad. He’s also the founder of creative firm LoveFrom and AI device startup io, which OpenAI bought for $6.4 billion in May 2025.
The merging of OpenAI and io combines the former’s engineering and research prowess with the latter’s hardware expertise. Altman will maintain his leadership responsibilities as OpenAI’s CEO, and Ive will take on the role of leading design across both companies.
With the pieces falling into place, OpenAI has set ambitious goals for its new device. The company aims to eventually produce 100 million devices and reach this mark “faster than any company has ever shipped 100 million of something new before,” Altman said in a since-leaked conversation with staff.
Consumers could see these devices as early as the second half of 2026, although they may not be produced on a larger scale until 2027. And, of course, this timeline could always change.
Why OpenAI Is Building a Device
Although OpenAI has remained quiet about the overall strategy behind its new device, there are a few possible reasons the company is choosing to build it now.
Advancing AI Technologies
Artificial intelligence has become a regular presence in the home and the workplace. If this technology continues to serve in a supplementary role to humans, the next logical step would be to give it the ability to learn from its experiences and surroundings as humans do. This way, users could enjoy a more personalized experience and customize AI tools to meet their preferences.
OpenAI’s device seems tailored to this opportunity, especially if it comes in a mobile form that can instantly process and respond to verbal cues. This kind of adaptable assistant could contribute to more natural human-AI interactions, and help people be more efficient and productive in various contexts.
Breaking Into the Hardware Industry
The push into hardware reflects the growing momentum around physical AI, with major players like Nvidia and Amazon ramping up efforts to embed artificial intelligence into real-world devices. Giving AI a tangible form offers an alternative to software-based products, which may be wearing out consumers. A compact, voice-driven product not only stands out in a crowded market, but also gives OpenAI a path beyond its current screen-bound tools like ChatGPT.
Adding a Source of Revenue
From a business perspective, the release of a new OpenAI device is a no-brainer. According to Altman, acquiring Ive’s io is a decision that could deliver an additional $1 trillion in value to OpenAI, which isn’t likely to turn a profit until 2029 and is set to lose $44 billion before then. Teaming up with io and investing in AI hardware products can establish a much-needed stream of revenue for OpenAI, while equipping it with products that could potentially give it an edge over other devices like smart speakers, wearables and smartphones.
Controlling the Tech Narrative
Another interesting factor around the timing of OpenAI’s announcement is that it coincides with Google’s annual developer conference Google I/O. According to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, this is anything but a coincidence.
“In my view, one of OpenAI’s motives for announcing its collaboration with Jony Ive now is likely to shift market focus from recent Google I/O,” Kuo wrote in a post on X. “Google’s ecosystem and AI integration, showcased in the I/O keynotes, pose a challenge that OpenAI currently struggles to address. As a result, OpenAI is leveraging a new narrative to redirect attention.”
While just a hunch as of now, this possibility only fans the flames fueling the rivalry between tech titans like OpenAI and Google as they continue to vie for AI supremacy.
How OpenAI’s Device Compares to Other AI Devices
According to Kuo, the device is “slightly larger” than Humane’s AI Pin and shares a likeness to the iPod Shuffle. This sets it apart from the Apple Vision Pro, as it does not include virtual reality and likely won’t take the form of glasses.
In terms of its function and capabilities, OpenAI’s device also appears to be one-of-a-kind. Unlike the AI Pin, this device isn’t intended to be worn directly on the user’s clothing or body, and it isn’t meant to replace existing devices like smartphones. While the Rabbit R1 may sound similar, OpenAI’s product will likely feature stronger capabilities, given Ive’s poor review of the R1 and his role in designing OpenAI’s device.
At the same time, the exact details of OpenAI’s product may be adjusted before release, so any comparisons should be taken with a grain of salt for now.
What OpenAI’s Device Means for the Future of Smart Devices
The launch of a device dedicated solely to AI use could have far-reaching implications for all consumer tech. Even if it doesn’t outright replace staples like laptops and smartphones, it could draw user attention away from them. As Altman explains, users need to go through multiple steps just to open ChatGPT in a mobile or desktop format. A dedicated device would enable more natural, real-time interactions, eliminating these steps and reducing screen time.
If OpenAI’s device is able to integrate with existing tools, it could reshape how people engage with those products as well. Users might prompt the device to complete actions on their phones or laptops through voice commands, for example, simplifying mundane tasks and increasing productivity. With access to data from other devices and its surroundings, the device could act as an intelligent assistant as well, taking the initiative to perform helpful actions on its own.
And should OpenAI sell this device at a reasonable price, it could usher in a new era where AI becomes more broadly accessible.
Of course, these are all big ‘ifs.’ Much remains to be seen about the final design of OpenAI’s device and what it can actually do. Still, the lofty expectations set by Altman and Ive have raised the stakes even higher for OpenAI and AI-enabled devices in general.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is OpenAI’s new device?
According to the few details released so far, OpenAI’s new device is expected to be pocket-sized and screenless, possibly resembling the iPod Shuffle. It will be a unique gadget, designed to supplement current devices like smartphones and laptops instead of replacing them.
Who is Jony Ive and what is his role with OpenAI?
Jony Ive is a famous designer widely known for his time at Apple, where he oversaw the design of products like the iPod, iPhone and iPad. He’s also the founder of AI devices startup io, which was acquired by OpenAI in May 2025. Under this partnership, Ive will lead design efforts across both companies.
When will OpenAI’s device be released?
There has been speculation that OpenAI could release its new AI device as early as the second half of 2026 or sometime in 2027. But this timeline could change.
How will the OpenAI device work?
OpenAI’s device will use microphones and cameras to interact with its surroundings, and it will be able to connect to personal devices like laptops and smartphones. This way, it can learn more about a user’s life and tailor its responses accordingly.
Why is OpenAI creating its own hardware?
There are a number of reasons why OpenAI has made the move to build its own hardware. Developing its own devices helps it lessen its dependence on other hardware companies and improve the performance of its products with customized components. This transition also allows OpenAI to expand its offerings beyond software-based technologies.
