OpenAI and Jony Ive Reveal First Hardware Prototype for Screenless AI Device

OpenAI Leaders Sam Altman and Jony Ive Have a Prototype of Screenless AI Device

The OpenAI CEO and former Apple designer say that the mysterious device could be released in as soon as two years. Famed former Apple designer Jony Ive and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman have been working in secret on a screenless device that uses artificial intelligence technology. But what does it look like? How does it work? We still don't know, but the two dropped a few hints recently. Ive and Altman, who merged the company IO Products with OpenAI as they work on the project, shared more details about their plans Friday at a conference hosted by Laurene Powell Jobs, founder and president of Emerson Collective, a philanthropic investment firm. Don't miss any of our unbiased tech content and lab-based reviews. Add CNET as a preferred Google source. At Emerson Collective's Demo Day 25 event in San Francisco, the pair discussed their success with a second hardware prototype of the device and said it could be released in two years. (Disclosure: Ziff Davis, CNET's parent company, in April filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging it infringed Ziff Davis copyrights in training and operating its AI systems.) Anticipation is high for what would be OpenAI's first-ever hardware product. The hype is boosted by the fact that Ive was the lead designer on such transformative products at Apple as the iPhone, the MacBook and Apple Watch. OpenAI's most popular AI software, ChatGPT, has about 800 million active weekly users worldwide. It's likely that the hardware project would incorporate the kinds of things ChatGPT does. Altman and Ive said that the hardware they're working on has been the result of extensive exploration and numerous discussions about the implications of a computing device that knows practically everything and that users can carry with them. Altman described the work on the current prototype as "jaw-droppingly good." Past reports have suggested that the device Ive and Altman are working on will be about the size of a smartphone, but without a screen. The Demo Day 25 event appears to suggest that it will be simple and fun to operate, and will have more personality than most hardware. The AI project is said to have a more peaceful feel than some modern devices, although it's not entirely clear what that means. Altman said that most devices and apps he uses today are noisy and unsettling, but the upcoming device will have a calmer vibe. He said the product would be intuitive to use and that people would want to touch it. "I hope when people see it they just say, 'That's it,' " Altman said, to which Ive added, "They will." Altman went on to use words including "simple," "beautiful," and "playful" to describe the product. Ive said that most products don't have a sense of humor and take themselves too seriously. Altman said he hadn't realized until he saw the most recent prototype, "how much that just doesn't exist and how lovely it is to have some whimsy back." The talk seemed to refute an October report from the Financial Times suggesting that Ive faced trouble behind the scenes in creating the product.

Jony Ive and Sam Altman say they finally have an AI hardware prototype

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and former Apple designer Jony Ive have been keeping the finer details of the first mysterious OpenAI hardware under wraps, but it sounds like they've settled on a design. In an interview with Laurene Powell Jobs at Emerson Collective's 2025 Demo Day, they said they are currently prototyping the device, and when asked about a timeframe, Ive said it could arrive in "less than" two years. Little has been revealed so far about the OpenAI device in development, but it's rumored to be screen-free and "roughly the size of a smartphone." Altman described the design as "simple and beautiful and playful," adding that, "There was an earlier prototype that we were quite excited about, but I did not have any feeling of, 'I want to pick up that thing and take a bite out of it,' and then finally we got there all of a sudden." Ive similarly emphasized simplicity and whimsy, saying, "I love solutions that teeter on appearing almost naive in their simplicity, and I also love incredibly intelligent, sophisticated products that you want to touch, and you feel no intimidation, and you want to use almost carelessly, that you use them almost without thought, that they're just tools." Altman went on to comment, "I hope that when people see it, they say, 'That's it!'," to which Ive responded, "Yeah, they will."

Execs say OpenAI has first hardware prototypes, plan to reveal device in 2 years or less

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman said on Friday that the artificial intelligence startup has finally finished its first prototypes for hardware devices. "Finally, we have the first prototypes," Altman said in a video posted Monday by the Emerson Collective, which invests in entrepreneurs. "I can't believe how jaw dropping good the work is and how exciting it is." Altman was speaking in an on-stage discussion with former Apple design chief Jony Ive and Laurene Powell Jobs, wife of the late Apple co-founder and CEO Steve Jobs and founder of Emerson Collective. In May, OpenAI acquired Ive's startup, called io, for $6.4 billion in equity and announced that it would make new AI devices. Ive took on design responsibilities on the hardware project. Since then, OpenAI and io have been relatively quiet about the project. Ive said he expects to reveal the device in two years or less. He said that much of the development process for new hardware is unpredictable. "Especially in large companies that value predictability, leaders get really uncomfortable with ambiguity," Ive said. Altman declined to answer a question about what exactly OpenAI is building, but said the company is targeting a calmer "vibe" with its hardware versus smartphones, which he compared to walking through Times Square. "You can then go for a vibe that is not like walking through Times Square and getting bumped into and having all this stuff compete for your attention," Altman said. "But, like, sitting in the most beautiful cabin by a lake and in the mountains and sort of just enjoying the peace and calm." He said a smart AI device will be able to do things for the user over long periods of time, filter things out and understand when something is important enough to notify the user. Altman added that the device will be able to "know everything you've ever thought about, read, said." OpenAI's hardware plans are being closely watched by rivals and potential customers alike. Companies including Amazon, Google, and Meta have released AI-oriented devices like smart glasses and speakers, but none has been a big enough hit to reshape the hardware industry. Startups are also experimenting with new device sizes like pendants and ideas like giving AI bots a personality. A major device launch from OpenAI, which has the most used chatbot with ChatGPT, could break the stalemate, and a successful product could eventually threaten Apple. The iPhone maker has yet to release an AI specific design, and the company has run into issues with rolling out improvements to Siri, its long-standing AI voice assistant. In March, Apple announced that it was delaying Siri improvements to 2026. Last week, OpenAI said it entered into an agreement with Foxconn, which manufactures many consumer electronics, including for Apple. However, the OpenAI deal with Foxconn is focused on building AI infrastructure, and the companies didn't mention device manufacturing.

OpenAI just confirmed its first hardware prototype, built with Jony Ive

Serving tech enthusiasts for over 25 years. TechSpot means tech analysis and advice you can trust. Something to look forward to: OpenAI has quietly stepped into the AI hardware race, confirming the completion of its first working prototype during an on-stage conversation at Emerson Collective's 2025 Demo Day. Appearing alongside former Apple design chief Jony Ive and Emerson Collective founder Laurene Powell Jobs, CEO Sam Altman said the company has finished its initial hardware builds, calling the milestone an important advance in OpenAI's long-running effort to pair frontier models with purpose-built devices. The screenless device is built around the concept of ambient intelligence, designed to filter out digital noise rather than amplify it. Rather than bombarding users with notifications and alerts, the hardware operates quietly in the background, learning from its environment and responding contextually. Equipped with multiple cameras and microphones, the device is expected to provide spatial awareness, enabling it to understand surroundings and adapt to user needs over time. Its design philosophy, shaped by Jony Ive's minimalist aesthetic, emphasizes simplicity and emotional connection. Altman described the prototype as "simple, beautiful, and playful," hinting at a tactile experience that feels intuitive and almost joyful to use. The hardware is intended to be portable, easily fitting into a pocket or resting on a desk. It could use a small projector to display information on nearby surfaces rather than relying on a built-in screen. Additionally, the device will likely connect to personal devices such as smartphones and laptops, enabling it to maintain a continuous "memory" of user activity and preferences. This persistent context-awareness is a key differentiator, allowing the device to anticipate user needs and filter out irrelevant information, surfacing only what is truly important. The team has reportedly tested a range of form factors - including desktop, mobile, wearable, and portable options - before settling on the current prototype. OpenAI's partnership with Foxconn supports its push into hardware. The deal focuses on building next-generation AI data center infrastructure in the US, but it also signals OpenAI's intent to exert tighter control over the hardware it relies on. By collaborating with Foxconn to design custom racks, cooling systems, and networking gear, OpenAI aims to optimize its infrastructure for advanced AI workloads and ensure it can scale efficiently as its systems grow more complex. The launch of OpenAI's consumer device could shake up the electronics landscape, particularly as competitors such as Amazon, Google, and Meta have struggled to bring AI-driven hardware to the mainstream. The device is expected to debut within the next two years. Ive and Altman have emphasized that, despite its advanced intelligence, the final product will feel as natural and essential as a fundamental tool.

Sam Altman and Jony Ive Say You'll Want to 'Lick' and 'Bite' Their New Hardware Prototype

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and famous former Apple designer Jony Ive are poised to revolutionize the way we interact with technology, in a way that they can't really describe, at a time they can't reveal. During a sit-down at the Emerson Collective's Demo Day event, the two gave us the closest thing we've gotten to a taste of what they're cooking, which is fitting because apparently it's a device that you'll want to "lick" and "bite" once you get your hands on it. Over the course of a half-hour conversation in which little more than some vibes were revealed, the duo praised each other and talked glowingly about what they've been making togetherâ€"which, again, they can't show us or say a whole lot about. At one point, Altman said it's a device that "is so simple, but then it just does." Which is great, who doesn't love a thing that does? At one point, Altman, who was more willing to share than the extremely secretive Ive, said the two have a test to tell when the device is ready: "I remember [Ive] said this early on, 'We'll know we'll have the design right when you want to lick it or take a bite out of it.'" So forget the wearable, we're headed to the realm of the edible, apparently. Ive maintained his mysterious persona throughout the conversation, but said that he loves solutions that are "Teetering on almost appearing naive in their simplicity," and that he's very into "incredibly intelligent, sophisticated products that you want to touch and you feel no intimidation and you want to use almost carelessly and almost without thought." So it's going to be extremely simple but also very sophisticated. Basically, it'll exist somewhere on a spectrum between one extreme and another. Are you starting to picture it? Altman at one point added, "I hope when people see it, they say, 'That's it?'" The two are definitely leaning into the idea of simplicity, suggesting that AI will be able to handle so much for the user that they won't need nearly the same amount of interface in front of them to interact with it. Altman described current devices like smartphones as walking through Times Square and "dealing with all the little indignities along the way" with flashing lights and people bumping into you. His device, he says, will be "like sitting in the most beautiful cabin by a lake and in the mountains and just enjoying the peace and calm." Let's just say all of that sounds great, even though it kinda sounds like nothing, really. The comments assume that the duo and their teams figure out how this thing is actually going to work, and the early reports haven't been great. Last month, the Financial Times reported that they hadn't solved how to actually make the device function as intended with the currently available computing power. So basically, thus far, they've built a very fancy paperweight. Despite the reported struggles, the pair seems sure they're just about to turn the corner. When Ive was asked if we'll see the device in the next five years, he said, "Much sooner than that," and eventually even committed to the possibility that they'll release something in under two years. So keep your eyes out for a device that may or may not work, but that you'll want to eat.

Jony Ive and Sam Altman have first prototype of mysterious AI hardware - 9to5Mac

At Emerson Collective's Demo Day, Laurene Powell Jobs got Jony Ive and Sam Altman to open up a bit more about what they're building together. In the interview, the duo reveal that they have their first AI hardware prototypes and expect to start building the product in less than two years. "Finally, we have the first prototypes," says OpenAI boss Sam Altman. "I can't believe how jaw-droppingly good the work is and how exciting it is. But also, now getting to the benefit of hindsight and looking at the progress -- the process backwards -- how much it's all in there and how it wouldn't have worked any other way. And then out of the end of it comes this extraordinary thing." News of the official collaboration between OpenAI and Jony Ive's design team broke in May, although Ive first confirmed his work with OpenAI a year ago. Discussions were first reported two years ago. Since then, the only thing we've learned is the team is developing a family of products without displays. When pressed by Powell Jobs about when the device will be built, Ive says with confidence that the product will be ready in less than two years. No news on what it will actually do or how it will look, however. Altman does point out how the iPhone is like walking through Times Square, though, with all the distractions it produces. He later names the iPhone as the one product that he just loves and uses. He hopes the OpenAI hardware will restore some of the spirit lost to the iPhone. Meanwhile, Ive points to ceramic as a material that he appreciates and wants to work with more in the future. Here's to hoping the Apple Watch design team agrees and brings back the best-looking material someday. As for one of his favorite inventions? The pocket. Apple, of course, recently expressed fondness for the pocket as well with the release of the very Jony Ive era-friendly iPhone Pocket.

'That's it? It's so simple': OpenAI's Sam Altman teases screenless device with Jony Ive

Sam Altman wants his gadget to feel like a cabin by the lake, not Times Square OpenAI is working on a device it claims will bring calm and peace to your digital life, unlike anything the smartphone era has offered. At the recent Emerson Collective event in San Francisco, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and former chief design officer for Apple, Jony Ive, teased their collaboration: an upcoming AI gadget that's all about simplicity, subtlety, and a distraction-free experience. This isn't the first time the duo has spoken about this device. For months, rumours have slowly emerged of OpenAI's plan for a new wearable device, although news has been quiet recently, with other projects, such as GPT-5, taking precedent. Sam Altman and Jony Ive's new device At the event, Altman described this future device as a "screenless," pocket-sized product, specifically made to avoid the chaos of today's digital world. "When I use current devices or most applications, I feel like I am walking through Times Square in New York and constantly just dealing with all the little indignities along the way -- flashing lights in my face... people bumping into me, like noise is going off, and it's an unsettling thing," Altman stated during the conversation. He went on to explain that current tech is buzzing with constant, dopamine-chasing notifications, drawing us away from focus and calm. A "vibe" designed to soothe, not distract Instead, Altman and Ive's device aims for a radically different "vibe." Altman imagines it feeling like "sitting in the most beautiful cabin by a lake and in the mountains, just enjoying the peace and calm." The AI gadget will filter out distractions, presenting information only when it's actually useful, thanks to what Altman calls "incredible contextual awareness of your whole life." Ultimately, Altman explains that users will "trust it over time," as the gadget gets better at knowing the best times to interact: "You trust it over time, and it does have just this incredible contextual awareness of your whole life." Simplicity is the secret sauce Chiming in on the philosophy behind the design, Ive added: "I love solutions that teeter on appearing almost naive in their simplicity. And I also love incredibly intelligent, sophisticated products that you want to touch, and you feel no intimidation, and you want to use almost carelessly -- that you use them almost without thought -- that they're just tools." The team confirmed their prototype should be available in under two years. However, no exact dates, prices or further details were given. If you're tired of "flashing lights" and endless notifications, OpenAI and Ive's new device could soon offer a much-needed digital detox, with a generous dose of AI smarts. Follow Tom's Guide on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our up-to-date news, analysis, and reviews in your feeds.

Jony Ive and Sam Altman Discuss AI Device That's Playful, Bite Worthy, and as Peaceful as a Cabin By a Lake

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and io Products creator Jony Ive forged a friendship that led to OpenAI's acquisition of io, and subsequently, an AI-based hardware product that both Altman and Ive believe is a reimagination of what it means to use a computer. Here are several ways that Altman and Ive described their AI hardware device: Rumors have described the device that io is working on as an AI phone without a screen, a "third core device" after a MacBook and an iPhone that's unobtrusive and able to sit in a pocket or on a desk, an iPod Shuffle-sized device that's neck worn, and a pocket-sized gadget that's screen-free but contextually aware of your life with microphones and cameras. It is not any kind of wearable like glasses, a watch, or earbuds. Ive and Altman expect to have a device ready to hit the market in less than two years from now. The full interview with Altman and Ive is worth watching to see the commentary in context.

Sam Altman describes OpenAI's planned AI device in 'vibes'

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman shared some information about the "vibe" the company is going for with its AI device. Credit: Kyle Grillot/Bloomberg via Getty Images So far, physical AI devices have not been a hit with consumers. The much-talked-about Rabbit R1 didn't receive rave reviews from Mashable when we reviewed it last year, and now it's sort of languishing in tech purgatory. The other highly anticipated device, the Humane Pin, was already killed off in February, just one year after it launched. Will OpenAI's device have better luck? OpenAI CEO Sam Altman seems to think so, according to what he had to say about it in a new interview. If you haven't yet heard, OpenAI is currently working on an AI hardware product with Apple's former chief designer Jony Ive. So far, what is known about OpenAI's device is that it's a small screenless AI companion, which already sounds much like the other physical AI devices that came before it. The last we heard about OpenAI's AI device was that it was facing delays due to technical difficulties with both the software and hardware for the product. Over the weekend, Altman spoke more about OpenAI's AI device in an interview at Emerson Collective's 9th annual Demo Day in San Francisco with Laurene Powell Jobs. While Altman didn't give too many more details about the device in terms of specifics, he did explain the "vibe" that OpenAI is going for with the product. "I think the iPhone is like thus far, the crowning achievement of consumer products. It's an amazing thing," Altman said before launching into a criticism of the iPhone to Steve Jobs' widow. "But one of the things that has gone wrong is when I use current devices or most applications, I feel like I am walking through Times Square in New York and constantly just dealing with all the little indignities along the way: flashing lights in my face, tension going here, people bumping into me." Altman explained that flashing notifications from all the various apps and social media platforms are an "unsettling thing." OpenAI is going for a much different vibe with their AI device. According to Altman, the ChatGPT creator is aiming to bring a vibe of "sitting in the most beautiful cabin by a lake and in the mountains and sort of just enjoying the peace and calm" to its AI device. "I think this actually just isn't possible in the pre-AI world of technology," Altman said. "I think this isn't possible with the current kinds of devices that we have." Altman goes on to describe a device that makes users' lives "peaceful and calm and just letting us focus on other stuff." Altman envisions a device with "really smart AI that you trust to do things for you over longs periods of time" and that would "be contextually aware of when it should...present information to you or ask for your input or not." "You trust it over time," Altman said. "And it does have just this incredible contextual awareness of your whole life." Ive, who was also being interviewed alongside Altman, also went on to share that he believed the product would be out in less than two years. "I hope when people see it, they say 'that's it?' It's like so simple," Altman said. "But then it just does. As we were talking about, AI can do so much." OpenAI's AI device sounds a lot like what the AI devices that came before it hoped to do. It looks like we may soon see if OpenAI is the first to actually pull it off.

Sam Altman and Jony Ive AI device is now in its prototype phase and its 'vibe' is defined

Can a tech product be like a 'cabin by a lake'? OpenAI CEO Sam Altman certainly thinks so. Altman and former Apple design maven Jony Ive shared this week with Laurene Powell Jobs perhaps more than ever before about the eagerly anticipated AI product coming from their joint company: IO. While we still don't know much of anything about the mysterious AI product, it is clear that the new gadget will be different from most consumer electronics available today. Altman commented, during a chat with Ive and Powell Jobs at Emmerson Collective Demo Day, that while the iPhone, which Ive designed, is "the crowning achievement of consumer products," most of today's devices and apps seem to fall short of that mark. They make Altman feel "like I am walking through Times Square in New York and constantly just dealing with all the little indignities along the way, flashing lights in my face, tension going here, people bumping into me like noise is going off. And it's an unsettling thing, you know, it's like bright stuff, flashing notifications come in, like dopamine chasing here and there, and short attention spans." By contrast, Altman said the device they're building has enough contextual awareness not to bother you. Instead, it would know when to ask for information, when to present information. "And it does have just this incredible contextual awareness of your whole life. You can then go for a vibe that is not like walking through Times Square and getting bumped into and having all this stuff compete for your attention. But, like, sitting in the most beautiful cabin by a lake and in the mountains and sort of just enjoying the peace and calm." That "vibe" as Altman. described it, is coming soon-ish. Powell Jobs pressed for the timeframe for when we might finally see this mystery device, asking if it might be in five years. "Much sooner than that," started Ive. Powell asked, "Two?" and Ive followed, "I think even less than that." That's surprising, considering recent reports that claimed the pair were struggling with the device. If there's anything else to be gleaned from this chat, it's that this AI-rich product, which we expected to be filled with the latest GPT models, will know everything about you, and it aims to be unfussy, possibly even simple. Ive tried to make his intentions clear: "I can't bear products that are like a dog wagging their tail in your face, or products that are so proud that they solve the complicated problem, they want to remind you of how hard it was. I love solutions that teeter on the appearing almost naive, in their simplicity. And I also love incredibly intelligent, sophisticated products that you want to touch." Or wear. Most believe that Altman and Ive are building a wearable device that will be approximately the size of an old iPod shuffle. Surely, as Altman put it, to "know everything about you," it needs the situational awareness that comes with being attached to your clothing or person and facing the world as you see it. Alman added that early on in their collaboration, Ive said that whatever the final product does, "We're going to make people smile. We're going to make people feel joy." For an AI product, that may be a tall order. After all, most people approach the advent of generative AI and chatbots with a mixture of happiness and terror. They love the quick, witty answers, summaries, and artwork they can get from ChatGPT, but are also concerned about how the technology might take their jobs or, when it reaches Artificial General Intelligence (AGI), take over the world.

Jony Ive: OpenAI plans elegantly simple device

Why it matters: There's immense curiosity about what Ive and his team are up to. The device he designs could well be the way that everyday people begin to interface fluently with AI. Powell Jobs -- founder and president of Emerson Collective, which invests in entrepreneurs and innovators -- interviewed Ive and Altman ("two generational thinkers," she called them) during the group's ninth annual Demo Day, held in San Francisco last Thursday. The interview was made public Monday. * When Powell Jobs pressed Ive on when people will see the OpenAI devices, he said he thinks "even less than" two years. OpenAI said when the deal was announced last May that the first products were set to be shown in 2026. What we're watching: "I love solutions that teeter on appearing almost naive in their simplicity," Ive said. "I also love incredibly intelligent, sophisticated products that you want to touch -- and you feel no intimidation, and you want to use almost carelessly, that you use them almost without thought, that they're just tools." * Altman jumped in to add: "I hope that when people see it, they say, 'That's it!'" * Ive promised: "Yeah, they will." Behind the scenes: Altman, elaborating on Ive's simplicity mindset, said that AI "can do so much for you that so much can fall away. And the degree to which Jony has chipped away at every little thing that this doesn't need to do or doesn't need to be in there is remarkable." * "We just started talking about: What does it mean that this thing is going to be able to know everything you've ever thought about, read, said? ... And finally, we have the first prototypes." Altman recalled that Ive once said they'd know they had the design right when the user wants "to lick it or take a bite out of it, or something like that." * "There was an earlier prototype that we were quite excited about, but I did not have any feeling of: 'I want to pick up that thing and take a bite out of it.' And then finally we got there all of a sudden." Altman said the design is "so simple and beautiful and playful, for lack of a better word." Altman told the Demo Day audience that during an early meeting, Ive said: "We are going to make people smile. We are going to make people feel joy. Whatever the product does, it has to do that." * Altman continued: "And I was like, 'Yeah, yeah. Whatever, Jony. People just want to be efficient. It's fine.' Obvious weakness of mine. But I am so happy that Jony pushed on that. And I didn't realize until things started to come together how much that just doesn't exist in the current set of tech companies, and how lovely it is to have some whimsy back." Emerson Collective's Demo Day included 10 demos, two fireside chats and one performance.

You'll soon get a calm-mode AI device from OpenAI

OpenAI & Jony Ive's new hardware aims for tranquillity over distraction, with a launch window of under two years. What's happened? OpenAI and designer Jony Ive revealed in a recent interview at Emerson Collective that their next hardware device is now in prototype phase and aims to provide a calm, minimal user experience rather than the notification-ridden smartphone model. Altman likened modern device use to walking through Times Square: busy, loud, full of interruptions. The new product is being described as a sleek, pocket-sized tool that filters out noise and offers context-aware AI assistance. Additionally, its launch is projected within two years. Altman said the moment you see this device, you'll think "that's it?... it's so simple." The device is reportedly screen-less and roughly smartphone-sized, which is a conceptual shift away from traditional form factors. Ive confirmed the under-two-year window and emphasised a desire for products that feel unintimidating and playful. Why this is important: Smartphones today dominate not just our lives but our attention with notifications, apps, and interruptions. The new OpenAI device signals a deliberate shift away from that model: instead of chasing attention, it prioritises calm. That speaks to broader changes in tech with ambient computing, voice-first interfaces, and AI agents doing the heavy lifting. For consumers, this means the hardware story may move from "faster, brighter, more features" to "less noise, more utility." If this device succeeds, it could redefine what we expect from personal computing gadgets, not just in specs but in feel. A pocket-sized, screen-less AI gadget changes the dynamic: fewer taps, more trust, smoother interactions. It further underscores OpenAI's mission to embed AI into everyday life, not through apps but through dedicated hardware. The timeframe (under two years) means this isn't far-off science; it may reset the hardware horizons for smartphones, wearables, and AI companions. Why should I care? If you're tired of your phone buzzing all day and want a smarter, quieter companion device that actually helps rather than distracts, this is for you. Imagine doing tasks like scheduling, summarising, and setting reminders without opening endless apps and being interrupted less. That shift from "always tapping" to "always-ready" changes how hardware supports your life. Recommended Videos On the other hand, hardly anything has been confirmed about the device itself. We still don't know official specs, price, form-factor, or whether this will replace your smartphone, supplement it, or just live in a new category. If you've already invested in high-end phones or depend on visual-heavy workflows, this gadget might feel more like a complement than a replacement. Still, for someone seeking a calmer, more intuitive tech experience, the promise here matters. You can watch the full conversation between Sam Altman, Jony Ive, and Laurene Powell Jobs for more details. Okay, so what's next? For now, it's all eyes on OpenAI. With a launch window of under two years, we should start seeing leaks, prototypes, or early partner announcements sooner rather than later. Until then, it's worth keeping your expectations open. This might not replace your phone, but it could quietly become the gadget you reach for the most.

Sam Altman says OpenAI's first device is iPhone-level revolutionary but brings 'peace and calm' instead of 'unsettling' flashing lights and notifications | Fortune

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman is on a quest to build an AI-first device that he says will be as revolutionary as the iPhone but will bring users peace and calm instead of more stress. He even got Jony Ive, the designer of the original iPhone, to help build it. In an onstage interview with Ive at Emerson Collective's Demo Day this week, Altman confirmed the AI device, which was first teased in May after OpenAI acquired Ive's startup, io, will be released in less than two years. Yet, the first prototypes are ready, he added, and they may look nothing like what we're used to. The yet-unnamed device will be a sort of anti-iPhone. It's unclear what the design of this device will actually entail -- if it will have a screen like a smartphone, or go the route of the always-listening AI 'Friend' necklace, although Altman said the people who have seen it were surprised by its simplicity. One thing's for sure: The new device is meant to get away from the mind-numbing distractions we associate with modern technology. "When I use current devices or most applications, I feel like I am walking through Times Square in New York and constantly just dealing with all the little indignities along the way, flashing lights in my face ... it's an unsettling thing," Altman told Emerson Collective founder and Steve Jobs' widow Laurene Powell Jobs. This hectic experience, which Altman says is what has gone wrong with technology, stands in contrast to how the new OpenAI device will feel like. Instead of adding stress, the 40-year-old CEO said using the device feels like "sitting in the most beautiful cabin by a lake and in the mountains and sort of just enjoying the peace and calm." Much like the 'Friend' necklace, the new OpenAI device and others to come after, which Altman teased, will capture context from your life and help it know when it should filter things out, and when to ask for your input. "You trust it over time, and it does have just this incredible contextual awareness of your whole life," Altman said. OpenAI is banking on Ive, Apple's former design chief, to replicate the success he had in helping design some of Apple's most iconic products such as the iPod, iPhone, and iPad. For the new device, he may follow the same simplicity and intuitiveness that has defined Apple devices for decades. "I love solutions that teeter on appearing almost naive in their simplicity," Ive said at the Emerson Collective Demo Day this week.

Sam Altman Says Jony Ive's Mysterious OpenAI Device Will Be Lickable

"I know we'll have the design right when you want to lick it or take a bite out of it." Chomping at the bit. Licking their lips. You might use these phrases to describe fans' eager anticipation to get their hands on OpenAI's mysterious upcoming device made in collaboration with the legendary former Apple designer Jony Ive -- and not just because the fans are restless, but because the little piece of hardware in question sounds like it'll make your mouth water, too. At least, that's according to how OpenAI CEO Sam Altman described it during an interview with Ives at Emerson Collective's 2025 Demo Day last week. In a segment of the 30 minute conversation highlighted by Gizmodo, Altman shared some of Ive's design philosophy, which involves a curious test which basically boils down to the question: would you eat it? "I remember he said this earlier on," Altman said of Ive: "'I know we'll have the design right when you want to lick it or take a bite out of it.'" Altman apparently took this to heart. "There was an earlier prototype that we were like quite excited about, but I did not have any feeling of like 'I want to pick up that thing and take a bite out of it," Altman said. "But finally we got there all of a sudden." (After a pause, Altman then clarified that he did not actually bite the device.) It's a rare peek behind the curtain at a device that remains highly secretive. Reports suggest that the OpenAI hardware will be roughly the size of a smartphone, but will crucially be free of screens, relying on cameras, a microphone, and a speaker to interact with users. It's also rumored to be "always on," constantly gathering data to build it own "memory" instead of listening to a wake word. OpenAI's competitors are undoubtedly watching it like a hawk to see how its device pans out. As a standard bearer for the industry, anything the company does is a big deal, especially as existing attempts to make smart, AI-powered wearables have failed to take off with customers and capture the same hype that chatbots enjoys. That's at least one reason it's being so secretive about its hardware. But another may simply be that its development is running into trouble behind the scenes, according to previous reporting from the Financial Times. One source said that finding a way to stuff enough computing power into the tiny device was a "huge factor" for its lagging development, while another said that the company was also struggling to balance its AI model's personality. "It can't be too sycophantic, not too direct, helpful, but doesn't keep talking in a feedback loop," the source said. The design, in any case, is supposed to be simple and bring "some whimsy back," Altman said during the talk. The vibe is less Times Square, where everything is competing for your attention, and more like "sitting in the most beautiful cabin by a lake and in the mountains and sort of just enjoying the peace and calm," he added. "I hope that when people see it, they say, 'That's it!?" he teased.

AppleInsider.com

In an interview hosted by Laurene Powell Jobs, Jony Ive and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman have confirmed that a prototype for the first OpenAI device does actually exist, and may ship as soon as 2027. Former Apple design chief Jony Ive is actively working with OpenAI on some form of hardware that uses artificial intelligence. In a conversation with Laurene Powell Jobs, Ive and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman revealed that the effort has apparently settled on a design for the device. The conversation with Powell Jobs at the Emerson Collective Demo Day, published to YouTube on Monday, took some time to discuss their work under "io," a startup that was bought by Altman's OpenAi for $6.5 billion in equity. While few details about the hardware are actually known about, The Verge reports the duo said that prototyping is underway for the hardware. As for when it can actually ship to consumers, Ive added it could become available in "less than" two years. Design philosophy, no detail During the conversation, Altman said the current design of the prototype is "simple and beautiful and playful," without going into actual detail. He adds that an earlier prototype was exciting, but it didn't give him the feeling of "I want to pick up that thing and take a bite out of it." Curious edible descriptiveness aside, Altman at least insists the new design "got there all of a sudden." This is not the first time that a prototype has been mentioned, as Altman did say earlier in 2025 that he had been able to "live with it" at home. For Ive, he sad that he prefers hardware that appears "almost naive in their simplicity," as well as designs that "you want to touch, and you feel no intimidation." He hopes for a design that users will want to use "almost carelessly, that you use them almost without thought, that they're just tools." Current speculation for the device effectively describes it as being smartphone-like but without a display. This may put the item in the same category as other physical AI devices, like the ill-fated Humane AI pin. The attempt to avoid that fate has started strong, with OpenAI securing some of Apple's hardware team for the project. The effort is led by Tang Tan, OpenAI's chief hardware officer and a 25-year Apple veteran with experience working under Apple hardware chief John Ternus and Jony Ive. However, it may take a lot more than keen design, OpenAI's smarts, and a ton of cash to make a dent against the smartphone market as a whole with a market-adjacent device. There's always a possibility of OpenAI doing on-device AI processing better than Apple's Siri, but it'll take a lot of work to actually achieve.

Sam Altman says the prototype AI 'thing' he's making with Jony Ive gives the 'vibe' of 'sitting in the most beautiful cabin by a lake in the mountains' and I'm left wondering if he's ever listened to the noises coming out of the hole under his nose

Open AI has the first prototype of its mysterious AI device being developed in collaboration with former Apple design guru Jony Ive. And according to CEO Sam Altman, it's "jaw droppingly good." To quote Altman in full on the the device, "finally we have the first prototypes and I can't believe how jaw droppingly good the work is." But what, exactly, is it? Altman was recently joined on stage by Ive for an interview with the Emerson Collective. But both Altman and Ive were thoroughly cryptic when describing this AI "thing" they have created. It turns out that it was actually Ive that first contacted Altman with a "tentative thesis", a "thought", about the nature of objects and our interface with them. It was a very general idea, not a product. Which was...? "It was to do with... no I can't share it, can I?" Ive says. At most, Altman is willing to explain what he says is the "vibe" around the device. "One of the things that has gone wrong is that when I use current devices or most applications, I feel like I am walking through Times Square in New York, constantly dealing with all the little indignities along the way. Flashing lights in my face, attention going here, people bumping into me, noises going off," he explains, "it's an unsettling thing." "I understand how we got here, but I don't think it's making any of our lives peaceful and calm," Altman goes on. The solution, it seems, is something both more intelligent and simpler. "An early thing we talked about with the devices we hope to build is, if you have this really smart AI that you trust to do things for you over long periods of time, to filter things out, be able to be contextually aware of when it should -- not really bother you but when it should present information to you or ask for your input and it has this incredible contextual awareness of your whole life -- you can then go for a vibe that is not like walking through Times Square and getting bumped into but sitting in the most beautiful cabin by a lake in the mountains and enjoying the peace and calm." Uh huh. Ive adds that, "I love solutions that teeter on appearing almost naive in their simplicity. I also love incredibly intelligent, sophisticated products that you want to touch, and you feel no intimidation, you want to use almost carelessly, that you'll use them almost without thought. They're just tools, we're the important ones in this." Altman then chimes in, saying, "I hope when people see it they say, 'that's it?'. It's so simple, but then it just 'does'. The AI can do so much for you and so much can fall away." Rumours around the device thus far have generally suggested something screenless but with cameras and microphones to enable that all-important context awareness. It will almost certainly have audio output, be that via speakers or Bluetooth. Could it have a projector to paint images and info onto surfaces or your hands? Maybe. Broadly, the sense is of a device that doesn't need screens or indeed all that much interaction. If you trust your AI, you only need briefly ask it to do something. You won't need to see it in action, to track the process of it composing and sending that email, booking that restaurant, or whatever. It will just do it. As for timing and availability of this device, that was one thing that Ive and Altman were willing to talk about. Will we see this thing within five years? "Much sooner than that," Ive says. Two years? "I think even less than that." So, not all that long to wait. In the meantime, it's hard to entirely put failed AI devices including the Humane AI Pin and the Rabbit R1 out of mind. Likewise, Altman's casual riff about trusting AI "to do things for you over long periods of time" poses plenty of questions at a time when pretty much all AI products and services come plastered with disclaimers mitigating unreliability. Has Ive come up with something ergonomically and conceptually exceptional, one of those devices that's somehow revolutionary but seems inevitable in hindsight? Can OpenAI make its AI models reliable enough to be let loose on your, well, life? There's plenty to prove.

Altman and Ive target 2027 for screenless AI device launch

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and former Apple designer Jony Ive discussed their upcoming AI hardware device, describing it as "simple" and designed for "peace" and "calm." This collaboration, stemming from OpenAI's acquisition of Ive's design startup, io, was elaborated upon during an interview led by Laurene Powell Jobs at Emerson Collective's 9th annual Demo Day in San Francisco. The device, currently a prototype, remains largely undisclosed regarding specific features, though rumors suggest it will be "screenless" and pocket-sized. Altman compared it to the iPhone, calling Apple's smartphone the "crowning achievement of consumer products." He stated his life is defined by periods before and after the iPhone's introduction. Altman expressed dissatisfaction with current technologies, citing their distracting nature. He likened using modern devices and applications to "walking through Times Square in New York and constantly just dealing with all the little indignities along the way -- flashing lights in my face...people bumping into me, like noise is going off, and it's an unsettling thing." He believes notifications and social applications contribute to this issue, preventing users from achieving "peaceful and calm" focus. In contrast, Altman envisions the AI device providing a user experience akin to "sitting in the most beautiful cabin by a lake and in the mountains and sort of just enjoying the peace and calm." The device is intended to filter information, with users trusting the AI to manage tasks over extended periods. It will also possess contextual awareness to determine optimal times for presenting information and requesting user input. Altman noted, "You trust it over time, and it does have just this incredible contextual awareness of your whole life." Ive confirmed the device's availability within two years. He stated, "I love solutions that teeter on appearing almost naive in their simplicity." Ive also expressed appreciation for "incredibly intelligent, sophisticated products that you want to touch, and you feel no intimidation, and you want to use almost carelessly -- that you use them almost without thought -- that they're just tools."

Sam Altman and Jony Ive's Secretive AI Device Prototype Is Ready

Previous reports claimed the AI device would not have a display Sam Altman and Jony Ive confirmed that a prototype of their anticipated artificial intelligence (AI) device is now ready. In an interview, the duo also highlighted that the undisclosed device could hit the market within two years. However, neither the OpenAI CEO nor the former Apple design head and LoveFrom Founder detailed what kind of device it was or what it was designed to do. However, Altman described the device as "simple," comparing it to other modern devices that he feels are overwhelming. Sam Altman Calls the Anticipated AI Device 'Simple' In an interview with Laurene Powell Jobs at Emerson Collective's 2025 Demo Day, Altman discussed the process of finalising the design of the AI device and compared it to other AI-powered devices available on the market. This is the first time the two talked about the stealth product, although they refrained from providing any key details. The most notable information came from Altman when he revealed that the prototype of the device has now been finalised. Explaining how the two arrived at the decision, the OpenAI CEO revealed that Ive spent months planning the design language of the device. The duo did make another prototype before this, but Altman said that the device did not make him want to "pick up that thing and take a bite out of it." The current prototype appears to be the second of the two that they have created. Later in the interview, Ive was asked if the device would be launched in the next five years, to which he replied that it could hit the market in less than two years' time. Altman also described the device as "simple" but did not go into any details. Previous reports have claimed that the AI device could be about the size of a smartphone, and users can communicate with it via cameras, microphones, and speakers. The device is also said to be able to sit on a desk as well as be carried in the pocket. Altman had stated that the secretive AI product will be "the third core device a person would put on their desk after a MacBook Pro and an iPhone."

OpenAI's Secretive A.I. Gadget Designed by Jony Ive Aims to Redefine Tech's Vibe

The mysterious hardware project promises a minimalist design ethos that breaks sharply from today's screen-heavy devices. Sam Altman and Jony Ive have stayed painstakingly cryptic about what their collaborative A.I. hardware device will ultimately look like. So far, the OpenAI CEO and former Apple designer have shared only that the product will be less clunky than a laptop and less screen-focused than a smartphone. Their latest hint, meanwhile, speaks to the product's overall "vibe." Sign Up For Our Daily Newsletter Sign Up Thank you for signing up! By clicking submit, you agree to our <a href="http://observermedia.com/terms">terms of service</a> and acknowledge we may use your information to send you emails, product samples, and promotions on this website and other properties. You can opt out anytime. See all of our newsletters Current devices can feel like walking through Times Square, with all "the little indignities along the way: flashing lights in my face, tension going here, people bumping into me, noises going off," Altman said at a recent event hosted by Laurene Powell Jobs' Emerson Collective. OpenAI's upcoming device, he added, will instead evoke the feeling of "sitting in the most beautiful cabin by a lake in the mountains and just sort of enjoying the peace and calm." Altman and Ive officially joined forces in May when OpenAI acquired the designer's hardware startup, io, which previously received backing from Powell Jobs, in a $6.5 billion deal. The acquisition brought Ive into the fold to oversee OpenAI's efforts to design a consumer-facing A.I. device that reimagines how people interact with technology. "What I went to with Sam wasn't a product but a tentative thesis. It was a thought about the nature of objects and our interface," Ive said at the same event, declining to offer more details about the pitch he delivered. What little the pair have disclosed about their project remains frustratingly vague. The initial design goal was to create something users "want to lick or take a bite out of," Altman said, adding that an early prototype was scrapped in part because it didn't fit that description. They appear to have since crossed that threshold. According to Altman, their work has now produced its first prototypes, which he described as "jaw-droppingly good." The final product is expected to arrive in under two years, giving users plenty of time to, as he joked, lick and bite the device to their heart's content. Altman and Ive have emphasized that their device will not be another smartphone and have repeatedly warned about the harmful effects of today's dominant tech products. Nonetheless, from the clues they've offered, their approach seems to echo Apple's sleek design language. OpenAI's device will be "playful" and full of "whimsy," Altman said, describing it as so minimal that consumers will look at it and say, "That's it?" Ive, too, stressed restraint and simplicity. "I can't bear products that are like a dog wagging its tail in your face, or products that are so proud that they solve the complicated problem and want to remind you of how hard it is," said the designer. "I love solutions that teeter on appearing almost naive in their simplicity." Even as they try to avoid the pitfalls of modern consumer tech -- devices that can fuel unhealthy relationships -- the duo are also working toward a release with societal impact on par with landmark products like the iPhone. When asked which device he uses most often, Altman pointed to the iPhone, calling it "the most 'before-and-after-moment' product of my life."

Sam Altman gives a peek into OpenAI's calm and screenless AI device - The Economic Times

OpenAI's Sam Altman has outlined the company's upcoming "screenless" device, created with designer Jony Ive. The pocket-sized gadget aims to offer a calm, minimalist experience, unlike today's noisy smartphones. Though facing technical hurdles, the device is expected within two years and is designed to act as a trusted, context-aware AI companion.OpenAI chief executive Sam Altman has shared new insights into the company's first hardware product, created in partnership with former Apple design icon Jony Ive. Although OpenAI has kept the device largely under wraps, TechCrunch has reported that it is expected to be "screenless" and small enough to fit in a pocket. Altman and Ive spoke about the project during a conversation with entrepreneur Laurene Powell Jobs at VC firm Emerson Collective's 9th annual Demo Day in San Francisco. Altman said he believes people will be struck by how understated the device appears, noting, "When people see it, they say, 'that's it?... It's so simple'." Back in May, when OpenAI announced its $6.5 billion acquisition of Ive's design company io, Altman mentioned that a prototype was already ready. Yet, progress has not been smooth. The Financial Times reported last month that the portable AI device has run into technical problems on its way to launch. Although neither OpenAI nor Ive revealed detailed specifications, both discussed the feel and philosophy behind the device, which they described through its "vibe", according to TechCrunch. Altman likened the device to the iPhone, calling Apple's handset the "crowning achievement of consumer products". Ive also confirmed at the event that the device is expected to reach the market in two years. Altman was critical of the current generation of devices and apps, and argued that modern technology overwhelms rather than assists. He described the experience of using today's smartphones and software as chaotic: "When I use current devices or most applications, I feel like I am walking through Times Square in New York and constantly dealing with all the little indignities along the way -- flashing lights in my face... people bumping into me, like noise is going off, and it's an unsettling thing." He contrasted this with the atmosphere he wants the new AI device to evoke. According to Altman, the intended experience feels more like relaxing in a "beautiful cabin by a lake and the mountains" -- quiet, calm, and free from unnecessary noise or interruptions. The vision, he explained, is for the device to act as a trusted long-term helper, able to filter out distractions while still providing important information. It should also know the right moment to share information or ask the user for something, and when to stay silent. Altman added, "You trust it over time, and it does have just this incredible contextual awareness of your whole life."

Ive and Altman Say OpenAI's First Device Will Launch in Under 2 Years | PYMNTS.com

By completing this form, you agree to receive marketing communications from PYMNTS and to the sharing of your information with our sponsor, if applicable, in accordance with our Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions. Ive said the team already built a working prototype and plans to bring the device to market in "even less than" two years. He said the design centers on creating something people can use without hesitation, suggesting a device meant for everyday use rather than a specialized tool. While at Apple, Ive lead the design team for iconic products including the iMac, iPhone and iPad. "I also love incredibly intelligent, sophisticated products that you want to touch, and you feel no intimidation and that you want to use almost carelessly," Ive said. "That you use them almost without thought, that they are just tools." Altman said the intelligence behind the device should carry enough of the work that the hardware can recede into the background. He said the product aims to reduce the number of steps required to interact with AI and allow users to rely on natural inputs. His comments indicate that the company wants a device to act as an ambient assistant rather than another screen. Both described a system that could understand a user's activity across reading, communication and daily context, suggesting a deeper level of personal assistance than current consumer devices offer. In May, PYMNTS reported that OpenAI acquired Jony Ive's device startup io for about $6.4 billion, creating a dedicated hardware division inside the company. The acquisition unified Ive's design direction with OpenAI's expanding push into physical computing. PYMNTS later reported comments from OpenAI CFO Sarah Friar, who described the device as "multimodal" and "provocative." She said the product will support text, sound and sight and will not require users to look at a screen. Her remarks outlined how the device could function as a front door to OpenAI's multimodal models and serve users through more natural interaction. While vague, the statements from Ive and Altman do offer clues about the new device. They show OpenAI moving toward a device that avoids the bulk and sensory load of AR and VR headsets and instead leans into a lighter, more seamless form. The approach contrasts with Meta's glasses, which add visual overlays and require users to stay within a defined display area. OpenAI appears to be taking the opposite path by removing visual hardware altogether and centering the experience on simplicity, ambient awareness and a nearly invisible interface.

More peaceful than iPhone: Sam Altman hints OpenAI and Jony Ive's AI device might be ready

Ive said the product will balance sophistication with simplicity and should arrive within two years. It's no longer a secret that OpenAI is entering the hardware market. The AI startup has made headlines for joining forces with Jony Ive, a veteran designer who has previously worked for Apple, to develop some innovative AI products. While the company has not revealed which products are in development, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has made yet another statement about its upcoming hardware product, raising eyebrows. Speaking at Emerson Collective's Demo Day in San Francisco, Altman compared the company's upcoming AI hardware device to the iPhone, calling Apple's flagship smartphone the "crowning achievement of consumer products" so far, while arguing that the next era of personal technology must feel far more calming and less intrusive. It must be noted that not much is officially known about the product, but it is widely assumed to be a screenless, pocket-sized device created by OpenAI's acquisition of Ive's design startup, io. Altman suggested that users might be surprised by how minimal the hardware appears. "When people see it, they say, 'That's it?' It's so simple," he said, hinting at a form factor free of the visual clutter common in today's consumer technology. Altman compared the overload of modern devices with the experience he envisions for OpenAI hardware. He compared using modern apps to walking through Times Square, with "flashing lights," constant noise, and endless interruptions. Instead, the AI device should create an environment that's closer to "sitting in the most beautiful cabin by a lake," offering peace rather than hyper-stimulation. Altman stated that the device should be able to manage tasks over time and recognise "the best time to present information" or request input. It would eventually develop "incredible contextual awareness of your whole life," he added. Meanwhile, Ive described the design philosophy as striking a balance between sophistication and simplicity. "I love solutions that teeter on appearing almost naive in their simplicity," he said, adding that the goal is for users to interact with the product naturally, "almost without thought." Ive confirmed that the device could be ready in under two years, which means we can expect the launch in 2027. However, it has not been confirmed at the moment.