OpenAI's Ambitious Hardware Push: AI-Powered Devices in Development

OpenAI taps Apple supplier to make AI device, the Information reports

Sept 19 (Reuters) - OpenAI has signed a deal with Apple (AAPL.O), opens new tab device assembler, Luxshare (002475.SZ), opens new tab, to make a consumer device, the Information reported on Friday, citing people familiar with the matter. The device is currently a prototype under development and is expected to be pocket-sized and aware of context, designed to work closely with the ChatGPT parent's artificial intelligence models. Luxshare and OpenAI did not immediately respond to Reuters' requests for comment. OpenAI bought hardware startup io Products, founded by former Apple designer Jony Ive, earlier this year in a $6.5 billion deal, underscoring its push to move beyond software into consumer hardware. Luxshare, a major assembler of Apple's iPhones and AirPods, would bring large-scale manufacturing capabilities to OpenAI's effort. Reporting by Akash Sriram in Bengaluru; Editing by Shilpi Majumdar Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles., opens new tab

This could be what Jony Ive has been working on at OpenAI

OpenAI isn't content with just being the company behind ChatGPT, and it increasingly looks like it's quietly setting itself up to compete in hardware too. Recent reports reveal that Sam Altman's team has been pulling talent from Apple's design and engineering ranks, and now The Information says the company is tapping into Apple's go-to suppliers like Luxshare and Goertek and leaning heavily into the kind of design language you'd normally associate with Cupertino. A big part of that shift came when OpenAI acquired io, a hardware startup created by Jony Ive, who is best known for shaping Apple's most iconic products. Ive brings design credibility through his firm LoveFrom, and now that expertise is being folded into OpenAI's future devices. Citing industry sources, The Information reports that OpenAI is apparently developing a whole lineup (via The Verge). The first is a wearable "pin" device Altman has already hinted at, a screen-free AI companion meant to work alongside your phone or laptop. But that's only the beginning. OpenAI is reportedly exploring smart glasses and a screen-free smart speaker. On top of that, there's talk of a simple digital voice recorder, suggesting OpenAI is looking to build a whole ecosystem of AI-powered tools rather than betting everything on a single form factor. An ambitious timeline with sky-high shipment goals The timeline is ambitious. The first hardware could launch as soon as late 2026 or early 2027, and Altman even previously floated a goal of shipping 100 million units by the end of 2026 -- a staggering number for a company with no previous hardware track record. To make that happen, OpenAI is reportedly working with the same factories and partners that help Apple scale its products, and it's been recruiting veterans who've previously worked on devices like the Apple Watch and Siri hardware. If this all sounds like OpenAI is taking a page straight out of Apple's playbook, that's because it kind of is, but the stakes are high. Hardware is notoriously difficult: supply chain hiccups, battery performance, and user experience can sink even well-designed products. And while mimicking Apple's design chops might give OpenAI a head start, it also risks criticism if the devices feel derivative or fail to offer something truly new. Still, if OpenAI can deliver AI-driven wearables and home devices that feel fresh rather than familiar, it could force companies like Apple and Google to rethink how quickly they're moving in the AI-native hardware race. The next 18 to 24 months will show whether OpenAI's hardware gamble pays off or if it learns the hard way just how brutal the consumer tech market can be.

OpenAI and Ive poach Apple designers, target suppliers for hardware push - 9to5Mac

A few months ago, OpenAI teamed up with Jony Ive to build the next generation of AI-powered hardware, under the brand io. Now, according to The Information, they are working with the same supply chain partners that Apple relies on for its own products. Here are the details. According to the report, io has already signed with a major Apple supplier and is courting a second: "Luxshare, a major assembler of iPhones and AirPods in China, has already secured a contract to assemble at least one of OpenAI's devices, according to multiple people with direct knowledge of the matter. OpenAI has also approached Goertek, which assembles AirPods, HomePods and Apple Watches, to supply components such as speaker modules for OpenAI's future products, the people said." The report also offers a few previously unreported (but widely speculated) details about what exactly OpenAI and Jony Ive intend to release under the brand io. Up until now, io had mentioned only that their plans involved wearables in some capacity, with very little specific details about which (or how many) products they planned to release. According to the report: "One of the products OpenAI has talked to suppliers about making resembles a smart speaker without a display, the people said. OpenAI has also considered building glasses, a digital voice recorder and a wearable pin, and is targeting late 2026 or early 2027 for the release of its first devices, one of the people said." Today's report also notes that since io was announced, OpenAI and Jony Ive were able to poach "more than two dozen employees from Apple who worked on consumer hardware," versus around 10 deflections last year. From the report: "Those recruits include hardware engineers and designers who previously focused on user interfaces, wearables, cameras and audio engineering at Apple, among other areas, according to their LinkedIn profiles and people familiar with the matter." This adds to the brain drain that the company has been facing at its AI divisions, with multiple departures to Meta and other competitors in recent months. In the case of OpenAI, another big draw aside from large compensation packages, is the fact that these employees will get the chance to work once again not only with Jony Ive and Evans Hankey, but also with Tang Tan, who spent more than 25 years working on design at Apple. Some of the recent hirings include: Aside from the reunion with old colleagues and the large compensation packages, the report also mentions the fact that most of the new hires seem excited to work on new initiatives rather than Apple's more iterative offerings. What's your take on the departure of Apple designers to OpenAI? Let us know in the comments.

OpenAI could follow up its AI pin with smart glasses, a speaker and more -- here's what we know

OpenAI's mysterious wearable "third-core" AI device could be followed by a suite of other Jony Ive-designed and AI-based devices, including a smart speaker with a display, a voice recorder and a pair of smart glasses. And reportedly, the ChatGPT-maker is raiding Apple for designers and building inroads with Apple's supply chain suppliers. These claims come from a massive new report by The Information, which reports that OpenAI has secured contracts with companies like Luxshare, an Apple product assembler, to supply components for future AI devices like speaker modules. They have allegedly reached out to a company called Goertek, which assembles AirPods, HomePods and Apple watches. The company is also allegedly developing a digital voice record, smart glasses and a wearable pin. The pin isn't too surprising considering that kind of device has been hinted at by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman as recently as last month. At the time, Altman called it a "third core device" that would live alongside your laptop or smartphone, and would be wearable and screen-free. Though Ive has publicly stated his dislike of the failed Humane AI Pin, and some rumors have suggested that he is developing an in-ear device, something not mentioned in The Information article. It's all part of the partnership between OpenAI and Jony Ive's hardware startup that OpenAI acquired in May. Altman wants to create the "iPhone of AI." According to The Information, the first OpenAI device is slated for release in late 2026 or early 2027. To achieve this, OpenAI is reportedly poaching Apple employees. Current chief hardware officer and former Apple product design lead, Tang Tan, has allegedly been pitching OpenAI as having less red tape and "more collaboration" to people coming over from Apple. Reportedly, Tan isn't having to twist arms, as it seems people are excited to work with Tan and Ive again. New recruits have included engineers and designers who worked on products like the Apple Watch or the initial Siri designs. "Our goal was, and is, to create a family of products that would revolutionize the way people interact with AI technology," Tan stated in a recent court declaration. It's an interesting time for OpenAI to try and dethrone Apple as a ubiquitous device maker. AI devices are coming and not just from Apple. Meta just revealed a trio of new smart glasses during Meta Connect 2025, including the Meta Ray-Ban Display specs that feature a display in one lens and the Meta Neural Band for gesture controls. Apple is expected to release its own smart speaker with a display in a third-generation HomePod that should release later this year or in 2026. It's also rumored to be developing Apple Glasses, which might be released in 2027. Apple has largely gotten in the way of its Apple Intelligence rollout, but assuming the company gets its stuff together, 2026 could be a hinge point for the future of Apple's AI.

These are the ChatGPT-powered AI devices that OpenAI might be working on

We know that ChatGPT developer OpenAI is working on hardware devices that will enable us to carry around an AI chatbot with us at all times, and a new report sheds some light on the sort of gadgets we can expect to see. The report comes from The Information, and indicates that smart glasses, a digital voice recorder, a wearable pin, and a smart speaker without a display are all on the drawing board to some extent or other - though they may not all be developed fully. Also included in the report are some details about the hardware partners OpenAI is working with, and some of them - including Luxshare and Goertek - are companies that Apple has also worked with to develop gadgets. That's perhaps no surprise given the involvement of Jony Ive with the OpenAI projects, who was Apple's design chief for many years. According to the sources speaking to The Information, a number of product executives have also moved from Apple to OpenAI. As for when we might see these gadgets, the target for a launch is apparently late 2026 or early 2027, so there's still a while to wait yet. It seems likely that one single device will launch first, with the others potentially following over time. All of these new details chime with what we've previously heard about OpenAI's hardware plans. It would appear that the idea is to design something that complements our existing phones, tablets, and laptops, rather than replacing them. We've already heard talk of an always-on wearable of some description or another, which would be available to answer questions in the usual ChatGPT style, as well as - perhaps - record voice memos and conversations for future analysis. However, AI gadgets along these lines that we've seen before haven't been a huge success: consider the Rabbit R1 and the Humane AI Pin, for example. The OpenAI team will be hoping that they can do better.

OpenAI is apparently planning a bunch of ChatGPT-powered AI devices

Wearable, voice recorder, and smart speaker. It seems OpenAI wants to cover it all, and then some more. In June, OpenAI acquired io, a company started by famed Apple designer Sir Jony Ive. Ever since the acquisition was announced, there have been wild speculations about ChatGPT-powered gear, but so far, no official revelation has been made regarding the device(s) borne out of the partnership. Now, a reliable outlet reports that the AI giant is working on a whole line-up of AI hardware. What's the big plan? According to The Information, the company has been poaching top hardware talent from Apple and working with supply chain players that have been long-term partners of the company. And it seems there are a whole bunch of AI-powered gadgets planned for the foreseeable future. "One of the products OpenAI has talked to suppliers about making resembles a smart speaker without a display, the people said. OpenAI has also considered building glasses, a digital voice recorder, and a wearable pin, and is targeting late 2026 or early 2027 for the release of its first devices, one of the people said," claims the report. Recommended Videos The Wall Street Journal recently reported that OpenAI is working on a "new device that will move consumers beyond screens." It is, however, unclear what exactly it looks like, and whether it's going to be a wearable. The big picture Before OpenAI announced its multi-billion dollar acquisition, the two companies had already worked together in secret for a couple of years, exploring "headphones and other devices with cameras." It appears that the first AI device from OpenAI will be hybrid in many ways. "The product will be capable of being fully aware of a user's surroundings and life, will be unobtrusive, able to rest in one's pocket or on one's desk, and will be a third core device a person would put on a desk after a MacBook Pro and an iPhone," The Wall Street Journal exclusively reported in May. So far, multiple companies have experimented with AI hardware. Humane's AI Pin proved to be a short-lived failure, and the Rabbit R1 isn't making any huge waves either. The Plaud Note is an exception and has done exceedingly well. It would be interesting to see how OpenAI manages to shake up a nascent segment and find its "iPhone moment."

OpenAI's 1st hardware device may look like an Apple product

OpenAI's ambitions to move from software into hardware are taking clearer shape -- and, well, they look a lot like Apple's. Earlier on Friday, The Information reported that Sam Altman's company has been busy scooping up Apple veterans -- designers, hardware engineers, and even wearable specialists -- and talking with the go-to manufacturers that make Apple's crown jewels. Luxshare, the iPhone and AirPods parts supplier, has reportedly already jumped on board, while Goertek, which builds parts for AirPods, HomePods, and Apple Watches, has been approached to make components such as speaker modules. And that means: It's not a stretch to say the same factories that churn out Apple gear could soon be minting OpenAI's first AI-native devices. Reports from The Information suggest that one device prototype resembles a screen-free smart speaker (Apple makes two). Other ideas thought to be on the table include glasses, a digital voice recorder, and a wearable "pin," echoes of Apple's experiments in the same and similar categories. The devices won't arrive tomorrow (or the day after that); the target launch window is late 2026 or early 2027 -- but the apparent trail for an Open AI-branded gadget is already telling. Earlier this year, Altman pitched the idea of an "AI companion" -- a device that's context-aware, screen-light, and designed to live alongside you rather than in your pocket. The OpenAI CEO has floated an eye-popping target of 100 million units and a shipping date by the end of 2026. As a whole, the Apple parallels are obvious. Earlier this year, OpenAI bought io, the hardware startup that Apple design legend Jony Ive co-founded, for about $6.5 billion. Ive's design firm, LoveFrom, remains independent but has been deeply involved in shaping OpenAI's hardware vision. Now, add in senior Apple alumni such as Tang Tan and Cyrus Irani, who also once helped define the look and feel of the iPhone and Apple Watch, and you get what sounds like an Apple sequel, just maybe with a rebooted cast of characters. OpenAI leaning hard on Apple's DNA is both a shortcut and a strategy. Hardware is brutally hard; it's often better to borrow a blueprint that works. But for Apple, the optics are thornier. It isn't just losing talent to a rival; it's watching that rival repurpose its suppliers, its playbook, and maybe even its signature product categories. Apple's challenge may be reputational as much as it is operational. That steady stream of high-profile staff to OpenAI suggests that Apple's once-impenetrable design aura might be fading. Apple has been slow to roll out any of its own generative AI products, especially compared with Mag 7 competitors Microsoft and Google, which are racing to bake AI into search, productivity, and the cloud. If OpenAI manages to land a consumer hit before Apple even finalizes its AI strategy, one of the world's most valuable companies could find itself not only out-hustled on AI but out-designed on the devices meant to showcase it. So far, OpenAI hasn't shown off a prototype, set a price, or committed to a single form factor. But if reporting holds, the company's debut gadget will arrive with suspiciously Apple-like fingerprints all over it. Whether that becomes an advantage or a liability will depend on whether consumers are buying into AI hardware -- or just another Apple echo. But if the past few months are any guide, OpenAI's first hardware won't just be a test of its product chops -- it'll be a referendum on whether fresher Silicon Valley ventures can beat Apple at its own game.

Report: OpenAI poaches dozens of Apple employees amid consumer hardware push - SiliconANGLE

Report: OpenAI poaches dozens of Apple employees amid consumer hardware push OpenAI reportedly plans to launch its first consumer device in late 2026 or early 2027. The Information today cited sources as saying that the ChatGPT developer has poached dozens of Apple Inc. employees to support its product development effort. Additionally, OpenAI is believed to have inked a manufacturing contract with one of the iPhone maker's biggest suppliers. Word that OpenAI plans to enter the consumer electronics market first emerged more than two years ago. Jony Ive, Apple's former Chief Design Officer, confirmed the initiative last September. A few months later, the ChatGPT developer bought a product development company founded by Ive in a $6.5 billion deal. OpenAI has reportedly poached more than two dozen product development professionals from Apple since the acquisition. The new hires are believed to include hardware engineers and designers. They worked on the iPhone maker's wearables, user interfaces, cameras and audio technology. OpenAI has reportedly offered stock grants worth more than $1 million as part of its push to recruit Apple employees. In addition, the artificial intelligence provider is promising less bureaucracy in product development initiatives. The effort appears to be bearing fruit: The Information's sources said that OpenAI has received an "influx" of inquiries from Apple staffers. The report also sheds new light on what devices the AI provider could bring to market. A smart speaker without a display, smart glasses, a digital voice recorder and a wearable pin are among the product ideas that executives have reportedly floated. Building a wearable pin may not be OpenAI's first priority given that recent attempts to popularize the form factor have fallen short. If OpenAI opts for smart glasses, it could face competition from Meta Platforms Inc., which already has a presence in the product category. The Facebook parent introduced three new smart glasses earlier this week. The flagship device in the series, the $799 Meta Ray-Ban Display, includes an in-lens screen that can display content such as notifications. It also ships with a wristband called the Neural Band. The companion device allows users to control the in-lens screen with hand gestures. The Meta Ray-Ban Display provides access to the company's Meta AI voice assistant. The software can translate text on menus, provide walking directions and perform other tasks. OpenAI may seek to offer similar AI features if it decides to enter the smart glasses market. The ChatGPT developer has reportedly contracted Luxshare, an Apple supplier that assembles iPhones and AirPods, to make at least one of its planned devices. It's believed OpenAI may also partner with another Apple supplier called Goertek. In May, Chief Executive Officer Sam Altman told employees goal is to eventually ship 100 million devices.

OpenAI is reportedly considering the development of ChatGPT smart glasses

OpenAI's hardware plan, developed with Jony Ive's LoveFrom studio, now spans pocket devices, wearables, and potential smart glasses designed to deliver proactive, contextual AI. OpenAI is reportedly considering the development of ChatGPT-powered smart glasses as part of a broader initiative to create a line of artificial intelligence hardware devices. The new report from The Information indicates a potential shift in strategy, as OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has previously stated his dislike for the smart glasses form factor. In July, when asked if he was wearing smart glasses, Sam Altman responded, "No, absolutely not, I don't like smart glasses." This comment came after OpenAI had already announced a partnership with former Apple designer Jony Ive's design studio, LoveFrom, to develop its first hardware product. At the time of that deal, The Wall Street Journal reported that the first device would be a screenless, pocket-sized device, and specifically not glasses or another wearable. The latest reports suggest that smart glasses are now being considered as part of a larger hardware strategy. According to The Information, OpenAI has been hiring design, manufacturing, and supply chain staff from Apple to build "a whole line" of AI-powered devices. In addition to its planned pocket-sized device, the company has reportedly considered several other form factors, including: The first hardware products from this initiative are not expected to be released until late 2026 or 2027. If OpenAI decides to move forward with smart glasses, their launch would likely be several years away. The potential move into smart glasses comes as other major technology companies are establishing a presence in the market. Meta recently announced its Meta Ray-Ban Display glasses, and both Google and Apple are developing their own smart eyewear. The strategic importance of this form factor was highlighted by Meta's Michael Abrash at the Connect 2025 event, where he described how future smart glasses will deliver "contextual AI" by providing proactive advice based on what the user is seeing and hearing. If the adoption of smart glasses continues to grow, they could become a primary platform for interacting with AI. A significant delay in entering the market could put OpenAI at a disadvantage against competitors who have already established a hardware ecosystem for their AI services.

OpenAI Just Tapped an Apple Supplier to Make an AI Device -- Report

OpenAI has signed a deal with Apple device assembler, Luxshare, to make a consumer device, the Information reported on Friday, citing people familiar with the matter. The device is currently a prototype under development and is expected to be pocket-sized and aware of context, designed to work closely with the ChatGPT parent's artificial intelligence models. Such a gadget could eat into the markets of Apple and other consumer electronics makers by offering an alternative to users for interacting with AI, challenging the dominance of smartphones and traditional hardware. Luxshare and OpenAI did not immediately respond to Reuters' requests for comment. OpenAI bought hardware startup io Products, founded by former Apple designer Jony Ive, earlier this year in a $6.5 billion deal, underscoring its push to move beyond software into consumer hardware. Luxshare, a major assembler of Apple's iPhones and AirPods, would bring large-scale manufacturing capabilities to OpenAI's effort. OpenAI has also approached China-based Goertek, a supplier that assembles AirPods, HomePods and Apple Watches, to provide components, including speaker modules, for its planned devices, the Information report said. The project marks one of the boldest bets yet by an AI company to build a dedicated device rather than relying solely on smartphones and PCs. The goal is to create an "AI-native" product, hardware designed from the ground up to work with AI models, rather than bolted onto existing platforms. This, according to analysts, could open new markets and give OpenAI a foothold in consumer electronics, an arena still dominated by Apple, Samsung and Alphabet's Google. Reporting by Akash Sriram in Bengaluru; Editing by Shilpi Majumdar. The extended deadline for the 2025 Inc. Best in Business Awards is this Friday, September 19, at 11:59 p.m. PT. Apply now.

OpenAI,Jony Ive's AI Hardware Dreams Are Built on Apple's Supply Chain

OpenAI is reportedly also developing smart glasses and a digital recorder OpenAI and LoveFrom are reportedly working together to build an artificial intelligence (AI)-powered smart speaker, but it is only one of the many planned devices. As per the report, the new products have been envisioned through a collaboration between OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and Jony Ive, the former Apple design head, and LoveFrom Founder. The duo is reportedly also considering launching smart glasses and an AI digital recorder. An AI Pin is also said to be in the works, but Ive is reportedly not excited about the device. OpenAI to Reportedly Launch Multiple AI Devices According to The Information (via The Verge), OpenAI's hardware ambitions are quite high. Earlier, Altman had claimed that the product being developed would become the "third core device a person would put on their desk after a MacBook Pro and an iPhone." Now, citing unnamed people familiar with the matter, the report claims that one of those revolutionary products could be a smart speaker, while another purported device is said to be an AI digital recorder. Not a lot is known about these devices at this time since the earliest launch timeline being reported is the end of 2026, so they have likely not even entered production at this point. Interestingly, two devices that have been mentioned now were previously dismissed by Altman. The Information claims that OpenAI is also developing an AI-integrated smart glasses, as well as an AI Pin, similar to the one made by Humane. However, Altman had previously highlighted that the company was not developing a wearable device. Additionally, Ive previously expressed disdain about an AI Pin-like device. It is unclear whether Altman and Ive have reconsidered their AI ecosystem hardware or if the reported devices are incorrect. OpenAI also appears to be going after Apple's supply chain companies to manufacture its devices. The ChatGPT maker has reportedly secured a contract with Luxshare, which also assembles iPhone devices and AirPods for the Cupertino-based tech giant. Additionally, the company is said to have approached Goertek, which is an assembler of HomePods and Apple Watches. As per the report, the AI giant and LoveFrom's partnership has also been making attempts to poach Apple's talent. An unnamed source familiar with the matter told the publication that several employees from the company have switched to one of the two partnering companies. Tang Tan, Chief Hardware Officer at OpenAI, has reportedly promised Apple employees jumping ship that they will "encounter less bureaucracy and more collaboration at OpenAI."

OpenAI taps Apple supplier to make AI device: report - The Economic Times

The device is currently a prototype under development and is expected to be pocket-sized and aware of context, designed to work closely with the ChatGPT parent's artificial intelligence models.OpenAI has signed a deal with Apple device assembler, Luxshare, to make a consumer device, the Information reported on Friday, citing people familiar with the matter. The device is currently a prototype under development and is expected to be pocket-sized and aware of context, designed to work closely with the ChatGPT parent's artificial intelligence models. Luxshare and OpenAI did not immediately respond to Reuters' requests for comment. OpenAI bought hardware startup io Products, founded by former Apple designer Jony Ive, earlier this year in a $6.5 billion deal, underscoring its push to move beyond software into consumer hardware. Luxshare, a major assembler of Apple's iPhones and AirPods, would bring large-scale manufacturing capabilities to OpenAI's effort.

OpenAI And Jony Ive Recruit Top Apple Talent, Tap Key Suppliers To Build Next-Gen AI Hardware

OpenAI has been increasingly looking into expanding its products and services and has established itself across various domains. While the company is best known for its groundbreaking AI models, the tech giant is determined to establish itself in the hardware space and has partnered up with Jony Ive, who is the legendary designer behind Apple's most iconic products. While the two have teamed together to build the next generation of AI-powered hardware, new reports are coming in about the company now actively poaching top talent from Apple and even targeting its key suppliers. OpenAI is not afraid to experiment and pivot in different directions to push for growth, and this could be seen in the company's efforts to have Jony Ive lead its next-generation AI device initiative. However, it is not just limited to getting Jony Ive on board. According to The Information, ChatGPT maker seems to be now actively recruiting other top talent from Apple and even seeking its key suppliers to bring the vision to life. It is a major step for OpenAI, as the company seems determined to excel not just on the artificial intelligence front but also when it comes to consumer-facing hardware. In its attempts to accelerate the ongoing efforts, it has hired about two dozen Apple employees, including designers, hardware engineers, and user interface specialists, among many other top recruits. Some of the prominent Apple hires include Matt Theobald, manufacturing design expert, and Cyrus Daniel Irani, the lead of human interface design. These new hires are not only experts in their fields but also have profound experience at Apple, where they worked on design-driven innovations, helping OpenAI achieve its ambitious goals even further through meaningful AI integrations with aesthetics also remaining at the core. The raiding is not limited to employees alone, as OpenAI also seems to be working with Apple's key suppliers, such as Luxshare and Goertek, for assembly and components. According to the source, the company seems to be exploring varied devices such as a digital voice recorder and a wearable pin, and it is aiming for a launch in late 2026 or early 2027. OpenAI is luring Apple's employees through higher compensation and motivation to work on fresh and innovative products that have massive growth opportunities. Looking at this broadly, this could entirely reshape the AI hardware landscape. Even though hardware development brings about its own challenges, OpenAI, by following a smart strategy of seeking top talent from Apple, would be able to move forward with its innovative initiative better and in a more efficient manner.

OpenAI Aims to Have Apple Suppliers Make Upcoming AI Devices | PYMNTS.com

The artificial intelligence startup has signed a contract with Luxshare to assemble at least one device and has approached Goertek to supply components, The Information reported Friday (Sept. 19). Luxshare share assembles Apple iPhones and AirPods in China, while Goertek assembles AirPods, HomePods and Apple Watches, according to the report. The AI-powered devices OpenAI has considered making include a smart speaker, glasses, a digital voice recorder and a wearable pin, the report said. The company aims to release its first device late next year or in early 2027, per the report. OpenAI announced in May that it was acquiring io, an AI device startup created by former Apple chief design officer Jony Ive -- who led the design of the iPhone, iPod, iPad and Apple Watch -- and former Apple designers Scott Cannon, Evans Hankey and Tang Tan. The company said at the time that io would become the devices division at OpenAI. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman said in the announcement of the acquisition that there is a need for a new generation of devices for the AI era and that there should be a better way to access AI. "I think we have the opportunity here to kind of completely reimagine what it means to use a computer," Altman said. It was reported later in May that OpenAI Chief Operating Officer Brad Lightcap said the company wants to build an "ambient computer layer" that would enable users to access AI without having to look at a screen. Lightcap said at the time that OpenAI aims to build AI that it "truly personal." In June, OpenAI Chief Financial Officer Sarah Friar said the company's acquisition of io will lead to a new computing era similar to the leap from flip phones to the touchscreen smartphone. "I think for AI, there's a whole new way to think about multimodality," Friar said. "We're going to stop thumb-talkers (texting) to begin with. We're going to think about the fact that we hear, we see, we speak. And these models have an intelligence that can take all of that in."

OpenAI taps Apple supplier to make AI device, the Information reports

(Reuters) - OpenAI has signed a deal with Apple device assembler, Luxshare, to make a consumer device, the Information reported on Friday, citing people familiar with the matter. The device is currently a prototype under development and is expected to be pocket-sized and aware of context, designed to work closely with the ChatGPT parent's artificial intelligence models. Luxshare and OpenAI did not immediately respond to Reuters' requests for comment. OpenAI bought hardware startup io Products, founded by former Apple designer Jony Ive, earlier this year in a $6.5 billion deal, underscoring its push to move beyond software into consumer hardware. Luxshare, a major assembler of Apple's iPhones and AirPods, would bring large-scale manufacturing capabilities to OpenAI's effort. (Reporting by Akash Sriram in Bengaluru; Editing by Shilpi Majumdar)