OpenAI confirms first AI device launch for 2026, and leaked reports suggest it could be earbuds

OpenAI aims to ship its first device in 2026, and it could be earbuds

OpenAI created a lot of hype around hardware last year after it acquired former Apple design head Jony Ive's startup io. While the company is tight-lipped about the upcoming product, its OpenAI Chief Global Affairs Officer Chris Lehane said in an Axios-hosted panel at Davos the AI startup is on track to announce its first hardware device in the second half of this year. Last November, Altman described the potential device to be more "peaceful and calm" than iPhones. Previous reporting suggests the company wants to build a screen-free and pocketable device. While the company is not spilling any details, more recent reporting from Asian publications and leakers suggests OpenAI's first device could be a pair of earbuds. According to reports, this device is codenamed "Sweet Pea" and will have a unique design as compared to existing earbuds. The earbuds could work on a custom 2-nanometer processor and handle AI tasks locally instead of sending requests to the cloud. A separate report from a large Taiwanese newspaper noted that OpenAI was exploring a partnership with China-based Luxshare for manufacturing, but might eventually lean in favor of Taiwan's Foxconn. The report also said in the first year of sales, OpenAI aims to ship 40 to 50 million units. OpenAI's ChatGPT has nearly a billion weekly users, but the company has to rely on other devices and platforms for distribution. With its own device, it might want to take more control of the development and distribution of the AI assistant and also release exclusive and purpose-built features. However, replacing existing earbuds like AirPods in users' daily lives is going to be challenging if there's not a strong integration with operating systems. Until now, there hasn't been a standout AI device success story. Last year, Humane Pin got sold to HP. Rabbit is still just chugging along after the initial hype of 2024. And the Friend AI companion necklace received a swift backlash for its marketing tactics. That said, big tech companies are making moves into wearables. Meta's Ray-Ban glasses are increasingly improving in scope and scale to the point where the Facebook-maker can't keep up with demand. And Amazon recently acquired Bee, an AI meeting recorder that could moonlight as a companion.

First ChatGPT Device Coming This Year, and It Might Sit Right Behind Your Ear

Alex Valdes from Bellevue, Washington has been pumping content into the Internet river for quite a while, including stints at MSNBC.com, MSN, Bing, MoneyTalksNews, Tipico and more. He admits to being somewhat fascinated by the Cambridge coffee webcam back in the Roaring '90s. ChatGPT that you wear behind your ear? Maybe. OpenAI is reportedly developing its first AI-powered device and will unveil it in the second half of the year, Axios reported on Monday. Chris Lehane, OpenAI's chief global affairs officer, said at Axios House Davos that the devices will be "among the big coming attractions for OpenAI in 2026," the site reported. Lehane said the company hopes to introduce the new products in the latter part of the year, but did not provide any details about the device or when it would be available for purchase. A representative for OpenAI didn't immediately respond to a request for comment. (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.) Don't miss any of our unbiased tech content and lab-based reviews. Add CNET as a preferred Google source. If an earlier leak also proves true, the ChatGPT-powered device will be worn right behind your ear. According to a leak earlier this month from @zhihuipikachu, a consumer-electronics blogger, the OpenAI device coming later this year will be a rival to Apple's AirPods and will consist of two pill-shaped gadgets that rest behind the ear. They will be metallic and stored inside an egg-shaped case. The leak said to expect the initial launch around September 2026, but also said there would be a total of five devices (released) by the fourth quarter of 2028. Whatever the new device is, it will be the inevitable creation of a company that set its sights on developing AI-powered hardware from the moment it bought tech design company IO for $6.5 billion in May 2025. IO was founded by former Apple design chief Jony Ive and others to develop hardware products heavily integrated with AI. At the time, speculation was that OpenAI and former IO designers would collaborate to create an AI-powered smartphone. In November, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and Ive said they had developed a prototype for a screenless device that could filter out "digital noise" and avoid sending constant notifications and alerts. This device would rely on ambient intelligence, learn from its surroundings and provide spatial awareness, all while operating quietly in the background. Altman said the device would be "simple, beautiful and playful," but did not offer details about what it would be. ChatGPT, launched in 2022 by OpenAI, is an AI assistant designed to accomplish a wide variety of tasks, such as creating documents, translating languages, answering questions and more. It and similar products are rapidly moving into a wide range of tech products and everyday devices, including smart earbuds and wearables. Companies are racing to embed conversational AI into products of all kinds, sparking both excitement and controversy over privacy, data security and other issues.

OpenAI's First Gadget to Debut Later This Year, But We Still Don't Know What It Is

Designer Jony Ive, who is working on OpenAI hardware (Credit: Jerod Harris/Getty Images for Vox Media) After over a year of teasing from OpenAI, we now have a firmer idea of when the brand will introduce its first gadget. However, we don't yet know what it will be, or when it will go on sale. According to OpenAI's chief global affairs officer, Chris Lehane, the brand is "on track" to debut its first device before the end of 2026. Lehane's comments were first reported by Axios from an event hosted on Jan. 19. Lehane used the event as a teaser for OpenAI hardware, marking the first time the company has officially spoken about upcoming gadgets over the last few months. Older teasers from Jony Ive's development arm of OpenAI, previously known as io, said it would announce its innovations either this year or in early 2027. In the comments, Lehane wouldn't commit to the type of device OpenAI will announce. He also said this is the "most likely" timeline, suggesting there may be a delay if the brand's development doesn't go to plan. It's not yet clear what sort of device the brand is working on. It may be an AI-powered pin, a pair of headphones, a wearable, or something different. Other reports throughout 2025 suggested OpenAI is experimenting with multiple prototypes. Late last year, OpenAI lost the ability to use the 'io' name, first used by Ive before the company was bought by the ChatGPT maker. OpenAI was sued by a Google Ventures-backed startup called iyO, saying the branding was too similar to its name. In December, OpenAI's appeal was denied, meaning it could no longer use the name io for future releases. Disclosure: Ziff Davis, PCMag's parent company, filed a lawsuit against OpenAI in April 2025, alleging it infringed Ziff Davis copyrights in training and operating its AI systems.

OpenAI confirms its first consumer AI device is coming this year, and it may be earbuds

Serving tech enthusiasts for over 25 years. TechSpot means tech analysis and advice you can trust. Highly anticipated: OpenAI is preparing to make its first real push beyond software and into consumer hardware, a move that could reshape how people interact with AI. The company has confirmed that its first consumer device will launch later this year, and while details remain tightly guarded, recent rumors point to a pair of AI-powered earbuds codenamed "Sweetpea," signaling OpenAI's ambitions to bring its technology out of the cloud and into everyday life. Speaking to Axios at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, OpenAI's chief global affairs officer, Chris Lehane, said the upcoming device is one of the company's top priorities and remains on track for a launch in the second half of the year. Lehane did not provide further details, but Taiwan's Economic Daily reports that OpenAI is targeting a global release in September 2026. The publication adds that the device is expected to be manufactured by Foxconn in Vietnam, with OpenAI projecting first-year sales of between 40 and 50 million units. Reports about the AI earbuds first surfaced earlier this month, when tipster Smart Pikachu claimed that OpenAI's debut consumer device would use a 2nm Samsung Exynos chip for on-device AI processing. Most of the AI workload, however, is reportedly expected to run in the cloud. OpenAI announced last May that it had acquired an AI startup co-founded by former Apple chief designer Jony Ive for a reported $6.5 billion. The company also confirmed it is working with Ive on multiple AI-focused devices that could launch over the next few years. In addition to the earbuds, OpenAI is rumored to be developing a second consumer device codenamed "Gumdrop." That product is said to include a range of sensors, along with cameras and microphones for contextual awareness. Unlike Sweetpea, Gumdrop is not expected to be a wearable and would instead be carried in a pocket, similar to a smartphone. Even as OpenAI moves into consumer hardware, ChatGPT remains the company's flagship product and continues to receive frequent updates. Most recently, OpenAI announced plans to roll out an AI-based age prediction system designed to estimate a user's age and automatically apply content protections if the system identifies them as a minor.

Here's when OpenAI's mysterious ChatGPT device could be unveiled

Besides unveiling the ChatGPT-powered device, OpenAI might also start selling it in 2026. It's no secret that OpenAI is building an AI device that will somehow integrate ChatGPT to help you with responses in the physical world. It has been on the cards since 2024, when OpenAI joined hands with Apple's former design lead Jony Ive, and then followed by acquiring Ive's startup in 2025. While the exact nature of the device remains unknown, various hypotheses have emerged. For instance, a leaker last year suggested it could be an audio device shaped like a pen, while a more recent leak indicated it would be a pair of earphones with a previously unseen design.

OpenAI is planning to launch hardware 'later in the year'

OpenAI confirmed that the company behind ChatGPT is preparing to launch its first device, but it won't be ready until at least late 2026. OpenAI is planning to get something out of the acquisition of former Apple design head Jony Ive's company. The two companies, being hardware and software-based, should theoretically make a complete product. OpenAI teased some type of physical product when the acquisition went through, though nothing has come out of it yet. According to a report by Axios, OpenAI has confirmed that its first hardware product is in the works. The company didn't give many specifics, if any, but it did note that the OpenAI device could debut "much later in the year." Even that comment is less than concrete. That would likely mean we're looking at a late Q4 release before we see anything out of OpenAI. Chris Lehane refused to set a concrete timeline for anything, which may mean the real debut could be much later, if at all. The type of device is also unknown. It could look like Humane's failed AI Pin, or it could take on the form of something else, like smart glasses. This comes as the company's AI model, ChatGPT, recently began testing ads. The move is seen as a way to bring in revenue, as rumors float around that the company is losing money, while Google seems to feel like it's in a good spot with Gemini.

OpenAI teases hardware unveil this year as Jony Ive's team hires more Apple alumni - 9to5Mac

2026 may turn out to be the year of OpenAI's first hardware product, according to the company's policy chief. Meanwhile, Jony Ive's 'io' team at OpenAI has made a notable Apple veteran hire. First, Ina Fried and Dave Lawler report for Axios from Davos: OpenAI is "on track" to unveil its first device in the second half of 2026, the company's policy chief, Chris Lehane, said Monday at Axios House Davos. [...] Lehane didn't commit to the device actually going on sale this year but said OpenAI was "looking at something in the latter part [of 2026]." So maybe not shipping hardware this year, but at least an unveiling if development continues to progress, it seems. This lines up with industry reports that set expectations for a 2027 hardware launch, although an official announcement this year is certainly exciting. Meanwhile, engineer and interface designer Janum Trivedi "joined the [OpenAI] × LoveFrom design team, working on io products," after previously working on SpringBoard at Apple. Trivedi "built Split View, Multitasking Drag & Drop, iPad Pointer Gestures, and more for iPadOS 15," according to LinkedIn. OpenAI leader Sam Altman and famed ex-Apple designer Jony Ive announced last May that the duo was collaborating on a family of AI hardware products. The pair recently revealed that the first prototype was readied as development continues. Earlier this month, The Information reported that OpenAI was bolstering its audio models ahead of unveiling a largely audio-based hardware product.

ChatGPT earbuds may be coming in 2026 -- but can they really compete with AirPods?

OpenAI's rumored "Sweetpea" earbuds sound like a bold swing at Apple, but the leaked sales expectations are raising eyebrows OpenAI is reportedly gearing up to release its first consumer hardware device in the second half of 2026, and industry leaks suggest it could take the form of AI-enabled earbuds designed to rival Apple's AirPods. Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, OpenAI's chief global affairs officer, Chris Lehane, confirmed that the company is on track to unveil its first physical AI device in the second half of 2026. It would be a major pivot for OpenAI, a company best known for ChatGPT and cloud-based AI services. What we know about the rumored "Sweetpea" earbuds Here are the key details emerging from leaks and reporting: * Internal Codename: The earbuds project is reportedly referred to as "Sweetpea." * Design and Function: Early supply-chain leaks describe a distinctive form factor -- potentially metal capsules worn behind the ear with a unique charging case. * AI Integration: A WCCFTech report suggests the device may combine cloud-based AI with some on-device processing via advanced chips, potentially including a 2 nm-class processor. * Manufacturing: OpenAI is rumored to be working with Foxconn for production, possibly outside of China in places like Vietnam or other sites. * Sales Goal: One report claims OpenAI may target 40-50 million units shipped in the first year -- an ambitious figure for a first-generation product. * Multiple hardware concepts: Sources also suggest that OpenAI is exploring hardware beyond earbuds, with different form factors under development. Why this matters If the rumors hold true, this device would represent more than just another pair of wireless earbuds. Analysts and tech watchers like Tom's Guide's James Frew, see it as part of a broader industry push toward ambient and voice-first computing, where AI assistants live beyond screens and keyboards. True wireless earbuds are among the most widely adopted wearable categories, with hundreds of millions shipped annually. A generative AI-centric wearable could redefine how people interact with voice systems, potentially offering on-the-go access to ChatGPT-style assistance without pulling out a phone. It's also worth noting the competitive backdrop: previous AI hardware efforts -- like the Humane AI Pin -- struggled to find mainstream appeal, highlighting how challenging this space can be. The takeaway OpenAI has not officially confirmed any product name, specs, price or launch date for Sweetpea or any other device. All current details are based on leaks, supply-chain hints, and executive comments on general hardware plans for 2026. We can expect more concrete information later this year as OpenAI approaches its projected reveal window -- potentially aligned with the tech industry's usual fall launch cycle. Whether Sweetpea will deliver a truly new category of AI wearable or simply enhance existing voice-assistant wearables remains to be seen, but either outcome could reshape how consumers think about AI on the go. 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.

OpenAI on Track to Unveil First AI Device This Year, Could Rival AirPods

OpenAI is "on track" to unveil its first AI device in the second half of this year, Axios reported this week. The comment was given to the publication by OpenAI's chief global affairs officer Chris Lehane, who listed "devices" as one of the big coming attractions for the company in 2026. Lehane didn't go into specifics about the upcoming product, which is being designed by former Apple design chief Jony Ive's oi Products team. Ive's startup officially merged with OpenAI last year after it was acquired for $6.5 billion. Previous leaks have suggested that the company's first ChatGPT-powered gadget will be pocket-sized, contextually aware of your surroundings and life, and completely screen-free. Details that emerged in court filings last year suggested it would not be a wearable, but an alleged supply chain leak this week points to OpenAI's development of two pill-shaped gadgets that rest behind the ear and go by the codename "Sweetpea." According to the leaker known as Smart Pikachu, the devices will be metallic and feature a custom 2nm chip to "replace iPhone actions by commanding Siri," suggesting some functional overlap with AirPods. The back-of-the-ear modules are also believed to feature sensors for environmental or contextual awareness, and are stored inside an egg-shaped case. OpenAI is said to be considering launching several AI products over the next few years, potentially including a pen and a "home-style device." The leak could therefore relate to a different product to the one that OpenAI launches first. That said, Smart Pikachu claims Ive's team is prioritizing the behind-the-ear wearable, which is reportedly being manufactured by Foxconn and could launch as soon as September, so we'll have to wait and see. Speaking to Axios, Lehane didn't commit to OpenAI's first device actually going on sale this year, but said the company was "looking at something in the latter part [of 2026]."

OpenAI's "secret" new device is coming. Here's what we know so far

Driving the news: OpenAI's chief global affairs officer, Chris Lehane, said Monday at Axios House in Davos that the new device is scheduled to be released in the second half of 2026. * However, he cautioned that was the "most likely" timeline. Flashback: OpenAI said after acquiring Ive's company last May that the first products were set to be shown in 2026, too. Here's what we know about OpenAI's gadget. What we know about the OpenAI device design Context: OpenAI has been coy about its future AI device, as CEO Sam Altman has not offered a firm timeline or description of what it will look like. * However, he said the device would be more "peaceful" than a smartphone. * Altman and Ive teased in November that any future OpenAI device or gadget would lean into simplicity with a little whimsy. What they're saying: "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," Ive said, as Axios reported in November. The intrigue: "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,'" Altman said at the time. Earbuds and pen rumors Zoom in: Various reports have suggested OpenAI's device could be wearable. It's unclear whether it's a pin, earbuds, or something else entirely. * Some publications and alleged leaks indicate that the device -- with the codename "Sweetpea" -- will be an earbud device. It would rely on cloud-based AI processing and, per other reports, would be worn behind the ear. * Another rumor posits an OpenAI device -- reportedly named "Gumdrop" -- would be an iPod shuffle-sized pen without a screen. The bottom line: After years of unpopular AI gadgets, OpenAI's device may soon test whether hardware can finally break through to consumers. Rise of AI devices and hardware Major AI players are testing different paths to consumer hardware. * Meta has leaned fully into its Ray-Ban glasses tech, which comes with a built-in AI assistant. * Apple is reportedly revamping Siri to become a chatbot for its hardware devices, like the iPhones and Mac devices. * Samsung has also teased adding more AI capabilities to its smartphones.

OpenAI says its AI wearable is on track as AI earbuds rumors spread

Last year, OpenAI announced that it was partnering with legendary iPhone designer Sir Jony Ive to release an AI wearable device, and a company leader recently confirmed the mystery device is on track to "unveiled" by the end of the year. Speaking at an Axios-hosted panel at the annual Davos conference, OpenAI Chief Global Affairs Officer Chris Lehane confirmed the device would be announced in 2026. Frustratingly for OpenAI fans, Lehan didn't share any concrete details on what the device will be or do. So far, OpenAI has been tight-lipped about its AI wearable, and it's been described vaguely as a screen-free AI companion. With no confirmed details, rumors are spreading in foreign publications and on social media that the company is planning to release AI-powered wireless earbuds with an eye on tackling the AirPods market. The rumors come from Chinese publications and a leaker known as Smart Pikachu, who claims that the manufacturer Foxconn will build the device. The rumors say that Foxconn is working on a secretive earbuds project code-named "Sweet Pea" for a mystery client called "Gum Drop." The device would be similar to open-style earbuds with a charging case and a powerful internal processor to power AI features. Per Smart Pickachu, the AI earbuds would be hidden behind the ear, a design more like hearing aids than typical earbuds. Of course, all of these leaks are unconfirmed, and "Sweet Pea" could be totally unrelated to OpenAI -- or even non-existent. Still, the rumors are growing louder. Previous attempts to launch AI wearable devices have not been successful, with devices like the Rabbit R1 and Humane AI Pin failing to build a customer base. However, ChatGPT is the most popular AI chatbot, and OpenAI would be uniquely positioned to grow this market -- especially with the involvement of a heavyweight designer like Ive. A raft of startups are also bringing new AI wearables to market, with a variety of form factors -- smart glasses, AI rings and bracelets, and necklace or pendant-style AI devices with cameras and microphones. Disclosure: Ziff Davis, Mashable's parent company, in April 2025 filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging it infringed Ziff Davis copyrights in training and operating its AI systems.

OpenAI 'on track' to launch a physical device this year

OpenAI is planning to reveal its first physical device in the second half of 2026, a senior executive has said. Chris Lehane, the company's chief global affairs officer, told an audience at the World Economic Forum in Davos that OpenAI is "on track" to unveil a device this year. He said he would have more to say "much later in the year" and that the company is "looking at something in the latter part [of 2026]." However, he did not give any details about what the device is, what it will look like, or what it will do. He also said that this year was the "most likely" release date but that "we will see how things advance," in comments first reported by Axios. Last year reports emerged that OpenAI's top-secret hardware project -- reportedly a palm-sized, screenless personal assistant that is being designed by former Apple $AAPL design chief Jony Ive -- was mired in technical snags that could delay its launch. The device, which has started to sound a lot like an Apple product (made with former Apple employees), would sit on your desk or travel in your pocket, quietly absorbing context and answering questions like a ChatGPT-powered companion. Altman has pitched the device as something closer to a new computing category than a gadget. The goal is reportedly to create an "AI companion" that coexists with users and responds naturally, freeing people from their phones rather than replacing them. Separately, OpenAI's finance chief said in a blog on Sunday that 2026 will be the year of "practical adoption" for the company. "The priority is closing the gap between what AI now makes possible and how people, companies, and countries are using it day to day," OpenAI CFO Sarah Friar wrote. "The opportunity is large and immediate, especially in health, science, and enterprise, where better intelligence translates directly into better outcomes." Friar said OpenAI's compute -- the power needed to train, test, and run its AI models -- grew from 0.2 gigawatts in 2023 to about 1.9 GW last year. The company's annual revenue run rate swelled from $2 billion to $20 billion over the same period. "This is never-before-seen growth at such scale," she wrote. "And we firmly believe that more compute in these periods would have led to faster customer adoption and monetization." -- Shannon Carroll contributed to this article.

Open AI looks set to unveil first physical device in H2 2026

It had been a question of when, rather than if, Open AI launches physical devices since acquiring former Apple design guru Jonny Ive's start-up Io last year. Speaking at Axios House on the fringes of Davos yesterday, Open AI chief global affairs officer Chris Lehane gave the strongest indication yet that 2026 will be the year we see the long mooted consumer hardware from the ChatGPT creator. He said Open AI was on track to unveil its first such device in the second half of this year. Speculation has been rife in recent months, with many pointing to an AI pen of sorts being the likely first release in a suite of consumer devices, but last week a leak on X from closely followed electronics blogger Weibo suggested the first device might be a wearable - a variation on ear pods that sit behind the ear and are powered by AI. He even cited a code name for the buds - Sweetpea. It certainly fits with longstanding reports that Open AI's Sam Altman has headphones on his radar when acquiring Io back in May 2025, the AI start-up founded by former Apple design chief Jony Ive and other former Apple engineers, Scott Cannon, Evans Hankey and Tang Tan. At Apple, Ive famously led the design of iconic products like the iMac, iPod, iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch. Ive and his design firm LoveFrom began quietly collaborating with OpenAI a few years ago, a blogpost on the company's website read. Ive and his former colleagues subsequently set up Io - a hardware company - with the aim of building a new family of devices and projects for OpenAI. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has previously shown interest in AI consumer devices. He invested in Humane, a start-up that failed to catch on with its less than functional AI pin. While Ives did not join Open AI, he and his LoveFrom team were said to be working "intimately" with the OpenAI's research, engineering and product teams. Dozens of Io engineers, software developers and experts, including other Io co-founders, did join OpenAI as part of the acquisition. Reports at the time of the acquisition said Altman and LoveFrom previously considered headphones and other devices with cameras, and products would appear in 2026. Could Sweetpea be the sweet spot for Open AI's first hardware endeavour this year? Sam Altman in 2022. Image: Village Global/Flickr (CC BY 2.0) Don't miss out on the knowledge you need to succeed. Sign up for the Daily Brief, Silicon Republic's digest of need-to-know sci-tech news.

OpenAI to unveil first device in second half of this year

TL;DR: OpenAI, led by CEO Sam Altman and designer Jony Ive, plans to launch its first hardware device by late 2026. The product is expected to be a small, screenless AI device enabling direct interaction with ChatGPT, aiming to offer a more peaceful alternative to smartphones. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and former Apple chief design officer Jony Ive announced in May last year that they are teaming up to release OpenAI's first hardware product. At the time of the announcement, Altman didn't provide a description of the product. Still, given OpenAI's dominance with ChatGPT, many have presumed it to be some kind of smaller, possibly wearable device that enables users to communicate directly with the online chatbot. Multiple reports have stated OpenAI is developing prototypes of small devices with no screen that can interact with users, and Altman did say the secret device will be more "peaceful" than a smartphone. Now, OpenAI's policy chief, Chris Lehane, said on Monday that OpenAI is on track to unveil this mysterious device in the second half of 2026. Lehane said "devices" are one of OpenAI's big projects in 2026, and that he will have more to share about the topic "much later in the year." As for when it will become available to the public, Lehane didn't give an exact date, but did say a release in 2026 was "most likely," but "we will see how things advance."

OpenAI's ChatGPT-Powered Earbuds Could Launch in Late 2026

OpenAI just confirmed plans for its first hardware device reveal in the second half of 2026. Chief Global Affairs Officer Chris Lehane teased the announcement at Davos, saying the company is "on track" for a late-2026 unveil. This comes after OpenAI's $6.5 billion merger with Jony Ive's io startup last year. According to the latest reports, the OpenAI hardware device will likely be earbuds codenamed "Sweetpea." Sam Altman has described it as more "peaceful" than a smartphone, suggesting a screenless design. The device is rumored to feature an egg-shaped metal case with pill-shaped modules that sit behind your ears for all-day wear. What the Sweetpea earbuds actually do The device reportedly packs a 2nm chip, similar to Samsung's Exynos processors, for local AI processing. There are multiple microphones, a speaker, and ChatGPT integration that works even when you're offline. The earbuds can handle Siri-like iPhone commands and various audio tasks. Foxconn is reportedly building them. The design focuses on being an always-on AI companion. You could use it for reminders, translations, and getting proactive tips based on your surroundings. It's aimed at AirPods users who want superior AI conversations without the constant phone scrolling. Think of it as a calm companion, not a screen-based distraction. OpenAI is joining Meta and Google in the wearables race. Ive's design expertise combined with ChatGPT's AI capabilities could give them a real shot at competing. The company reportedly plans to ship 40 to 50 million units in the first year. That's ambitious for a first-gen product, especially after Humane's AI Pin flopped. Either way, OpenAI's betting big on moving AI off screens and into everyday wearables. We'll know more when they unveil the device later this year.

OpenAI Just Gave a Big Clue to What Its Secret Consumer Hardware Product Will Be

Though a patent earlier this month suggests that OpenAI's secret hardware project could be an AI-powered smart pen, more recent leaks from Asian publications and bloggers offer a glimpse into an even smaller device -- a pair of earbuds. According to these reports, OpenAI is developing earbuds that can meet complex AI computing requirements. OpenAI code-named the device "Sweetpea" internally, per the reports. The earbuds reportedly use a two-nanometer processor capable of running AI tasks locally. OpenAI is reportedly working on a design that will allow the device to stand visually apart from conventional earbuds. Taiwan's Economic Daily newspaper noted that OpenAI is likely to release the earbuds in September 2026. The startup is reportedly eyeing a target sales volume between 40 million and 50 million units in the first year, targeting a fraction of ChatGPT's 800 million weekly users. The figure places "Sweetpea" in the realm of mainstream consumer launches rather than a niche product. OpenAI first ignited speculation that it could be planning a move into devices after acquiring former Apple designer Jony Ive's startup, io, for $6.5 billion in May 2025. The move, the largest acquisition in OpenAI's history, was a sign that the startup was seriously considering gaining a foothold in the wearables market. At the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, earlier this week, OpenAI's Chief Global Affairs Officer Chris Lehane offered a first glimpse into the timeline for a gadget. He said OpenAI is on track to announce its first device in the second half of 2026. Lehane further stated that the upcoming consumer AI device is one of the company's top priorities this year. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and Ive have been working on a hardware collaboration for nearly three years now, intending to move consumers beyond screens and into other types of AI-powered devices. The Wall Street Journal reported that the two have considered AI headphones and other gadgets with cameras. The "Sweetpea" earbuds will have to displace or coexist with incumbents like Apple's AirPods and Samsung's Galaxy Buds, which already tie deeply into their operating systems and ecosystems. OpenAI will also have to prove that its AI experiences are compelling enough that users will tolerate carrying and charging another device. Altman has explored AI devices before, albeit indirectly. In 2020, he invested in the startup Humane, which created a $699 Ai Pin that disappointed consumers due to overheating issues and a slow interface. HP acquired the company for parts in February 2025. Ive began working at Apple in 1992 and played a critical role in creating the iPhone, iPad and other products. He left in 2019 to create his own design firm, LoveFrom, which has since scored deals with Airbnb and Ferrari.

OpenAI's First Mystery Device Could Be an AI Audio Headset

For the first year, OpenAI is reportedly targeting 50-60M shipments OpenAI's first mystery artificial intelligence (AI) device will reportedly be an audio headset. As per the report, the San Francisco-based AI giant will soon begin the process of mass-producing the hardware, once it finalises the vendor. The company has reportedly also decided on the volume of shipments for the first year. Interestingly, the report also claims that the first device launch by the company will not be an AI Pen, which was suggested previously. It is also said that the AI giant will unveil the device in the latter half of the ongoing year. OpenAI Could Launch an AI Audio Headset Next Year According to an ITHome report (via Taiwan's Economic Daily News), OpenAI's first device will be an AI-powered audio headset. The report also claims that the previously suggested AI Pen will not be the first device to be unveiled by the company, although it might still be on its roadmap. Additionally, the report claims that for the first year, the AI giant is targeting shipments of 40-50 million units. If true, this highlights that OpenAI has high confidence of the product being a success. On Tuesday, OpenAI's Chief Global Affairs Officer, Chris Lehane, reportedly said that the first AI device will be unveiled in the second half of the year. However, it is unlikely that the gadget will hit the market in 2026, given that Ive previously confirmed that a 2027 timeline is more realistic. Additionally, since another report mentioned that OpenAI was still in the process of finalising the vendor partner and the location of manufacturing, the production cycle could take until the end of the year. Although it is unclear if the publication's source was from the supply chain, the first device being an AI audio headset is still speculative at best. Last year, during the ongoing courtroom battle between OpenAI and Jony Ive, representing the "io" joint venture and the existing AI startup iyO (spun out of Google's Moonshot Factory), an official declaration mentioned that the ChatGPT-maker's first device is not a wearable. The 26-page declaration was given by Tang Tan, OpenAI's Chief Hardware Officer and Co-Founder of io, where he stated that the first AI device "is not an in-ear device, nor a wearable device." If the new report is to be believed, that would indicate that OpenAI knowingly lied in an official declaration, which is not a high possibility. Regardless, all will be clear once the AI giant officially unveils the device later this year.

OpenAI plans late-2026 launch of first AI hardware device, designed with Jony Ive: Will it survive where others struggled

OpenAI is set to launch its first consumer hardware device in late 2026, a significant move into AI hardware. Collaborating with former Apple design chief Jony Ive, the company aims for a seamless human-AI interaction beyond current devices. Details remain scarce, but it's expected to be a small, innovative, possibly screen-less companion device, leveraging deep AI and design expertise. OpenAI is officially planning to unveil its first consumer hardware device in the second half of 2026, marking a major strategic expansion from its core software offerings like ChatGPT into the AI hardware market. The announcement came from OpenAI Chief Global Affairs Officer Chris Lehane speaking at Axios House Davos 2026, where he confirmed that the company's long-rumored hardware project, designed in collaboration with former Apple design chief Jony Ive, is progressing and targeted for a late-2026 reveal. OpenAI's hardware initiative reflects a broader push to create dedicated AI-powered devices that offer more seamless human-AI interaction beyond smartphones, tablets, and PCs. While details about the product itself remain largely under wraps, observers note the significance of combining OpenAI's cutting-edge AI technologies with Ive's expertise in industrial design, which previously shaped iconic Apple products. The partnership stems from OpenAI's 2025 acquisition of Jony Ive's AI hardware startup io Products, a move that integrated Ive's team and design vision into OpenAI's broader hardware ambitions. Ive's design philosophy emphasizes simplicity, intuitive user experiences, and elegant form factors, traits that both he and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman have described as central to the product's development. At this stage, OpenAI and its partners have not publicly disclosed the official name, design, form factor, or functionality of the forthcoming AI device. However, multiple reports and industry-level insights suggest several defining characteristics: Historically, similar efforts by other companies have faced obstacles. For example, Humane's AI Pin, a clip-on wearable AI companion, struggled commercially after its 2024 launch, illustrating the difficulty of driving adoption for new classes of devices. OpenAI's project, backed by Ive's design pedigree and deep AI expertise, may be better positioned but still must contend with technical refinement, market education, and consumer expectations ahead of its 2026 debut.

OpenAI Says Its First Consumer AI Device - Rumored To Be "Sweetpea" Earbuds - Launching In H2 2026, Expects To Sell Up To 50 Million Units In The First Year

OpenAI's first consumer device, which is said to be AI-powered earbuds bearing the internal codename "Sweetpea," has now officially moved away from the rumor mill to the teaser stage, with the startup's chief global affairs officer, Chris Lehane, choosing to disclose a few tantalizing tidbits at the ongoing World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. While speaking at the Axios House Davos event of the WEF, OpenAI's Lehane has chosen to disclose that the startup's first consumer AI device constitutes one of its highest priorities this year, and that it is working to launch the device in the second half of 2026. Taiwan's Economic Daily adds further color by noting that OpenAI is likely to launch the device in September 2026, and is targeting a sales volume of between 40 million and 50 million units in the first year. The publication also adds that the device is likely to be manufactured by Foxconn in Vietnam. While Lehane eschewed further details, we already know from a slew of recent reports that OpenAI is apparently working on dedicated AI-powered earbuds that bear the internal codename "Sweetpea." The device would rely heavily on cloud-based AI processing, while featuring a 2nm Samsung Exynos chip for some on-device processing. Of course, OpenAI is also working on another consumer device that is reportedly shaped like a pen and sports a size similar to that of the Apple iPod Shuffle. The device bears the internal codename "Gumdrop," and is entirely bereft of a dedicated screen. Additional details include:

OpenAI Will Reportedly Unveil Its First AI Device Later This Year

* The AI device is not likely to be shipped this year * OpenAI could introduce the first of its devices in 2027 * It is said the company is building three different devices OpenAI might be operating ahead of schedule when it comes to its hardware development. As per a report, the San Francisco-based artificial intelligence (AI) giant is planning to unveil its first AI device later this year. While no details about what the device is have been shared, it is purported to be an audio-focused wearable. The ChatGPT-maker's first hardware will reportedly not be ready to ship this year, however, with an expected timeline said to be early 2027. Notably, the company is said to be working on three different gadgets. OpenAI Could Showcase Its First AI Device in 2026 According to an Axios report, the AI giant is gearing up for an unveiling event for its first-ever hardware in the second half of this year. The information was shared by Chris Lehane, OpenAI's Chief Global Affairs Officer, who told the publication that the company was "on track" to reveal its first AI device later this year. The executive did not provide a specific timeline for when it could arrive. Much has been claimed by the rumour mills about the company's ongoing hardware project. The OpenAI-Jony Ive collaboration is said to be working on three different devices, one of which is said to be a wearable, even as company CEO Sam Altman has denied it in the past. Another is said to be a tabletop device that works completely on voice command, while the third is said to be an AI Pen. The functionality or features of any of the devices are difficult to gauge at this point. In December 2025, a rumour claimed that the devices had reached the vendor selection process. Upon the finalisation of the manufacturing partner and the location, mass production of the hardware would begin. The report at the time had claimed that OpenAI and Ive selected Foxconn over Luxshare and had decided on Vietnam as the production location. Separately, a 9to5mac report stated that OpenAI and Ive's design team, working on these hardware projects, had hired Janum Trivedi, an interface designer who previously worked at Apple between 2019 and 2021. The individual reportedly developed many key features for the company, including Split View, Multitasking Drag & Drop, iPad Pointer Gestures, and other interface elements for iPadOS 15. He has also worked at Netflix and The Browser Company. His last stint was at Airbnb.

OpenAI looks to be 'on track' to show off AI device this year: report

OpenAI (OPENAI) appears to be "on track" to show off its highly anticipated artificial intelligence-focused device later this year, Axios reported. Speaking at the World Economic Forum, OpenAI's chief global affairs officer, Chris Lehane, discussed the timeline for showing off the device with The AI device is positioned as a major product which could attract significant attention and potentially elevate OpenAI in device markets, especially given collaboration with notable hardware experts. OpenAI chose not to partner with Apple on Siri to focus resources and expertise on developing its own device, possibly to compete directly in the voice assistant and smart device space. OpenAI's device aims to offer full awareness of a user's surroundings and unobtrusive functionality, distinguishing itself as a potential 'third core device' beyond traditional displays or wearable designs.

OpenAI to Launch AI Headset for Daily Use, Targets 40-50 Million Units in the First Year

OpenAI is reportedly preparing to launch its first device, an audio headset for everyday users. Earlier rumours suggested an AI pen, but new information points in a different direction. The company now seems more interested in voice-based AI. According to sources, OpenAI has dropped plans to launch an AI pen. Currently, the company is focused on manufacturing a product that aligns with people's comfort and needs. An can help with many tasks include learning, translation, reminders, and quick information. Work on the device is moving forward. OpenAI is reportedly choosing factories and production partners to begin mass production. The company is said to be aiming for 40 million to 50 million units in the first year. This number is high for a first product launch, showing the strong belief the tech giant has in its demand.

OpenAI's First-Ever Device May Launch in 2026: What This Could Mean for the Future

OpenAI's First Device Could Arrive in 2026, Signaling a Major Shift in AI Innovation The personal technology landscape is ready for a major transformation as OpenAI's first-ever device launch approaches its expected 2026 timeline. Moving past its digital roots, the creator of ChatGPT is turning to physical hardware to bring artificial intelligence directly into users' hands. This move plans to change human-machine interaction by replacing traditional glowing screens with intuitive, ambient interfaces that blend naturally into daily life using voice commands and contextual awareness.

OpenAI on track to unveil its first device in 2026: What to expect

Lehane didn't confirm whether the device would go on sale this year. OpenAI is moving closer to launching its first-ever hardware device. The update came from OpenAI's chief global affairs officer, Chris Lehane, who said that the company is "on track" to unveil its first device in the second half of 2026, reports Axios. OpenAI has been known mainly for its software, especially ChatGPT. But the company has also been quietly working on hardware. Interest grew last year when OpenAI acquired a startup founded by former Apple design chief Jony Ive. At the time, the company offered very few details, but it hinted that something new could be revealed in 2026. A promotional video released during the acquisition said, "We look forward to sharing our work with you next year." Reports suggest that OpenAI is testing small devices that may not even have a screen, possibly wearable, designed to interact with users in a simple, natural way. Also read: JioHotstar Super and Premium plans to get costlier from January 28: Check new prices Altman earlier described the idea as something very different from today's smartphones. He has said the device will feel more calm and less distracting, and that people will be surprised by how simple it is. However, whether the device will be worn as a pin, an earpiece, or something else entirely remains unclear. When asked about specifics, Lehane avoided giving details, reports Axios. He did confirm that "devices" are one of the big coming attractions from the company in 2026. He said he expects to share more information "much later in the year." Also read: Samsung Electronics boss says the company is betting on practical AI over novelty Lehane didn't confirm whether the device would go on sale this year, but said that OpenAI was "looking at something in the latter part (2026)." At the same time, he added that this is the "most likely" timing and "we will see how things advance."