In May, Sam Altman announced that OpenAI had partnered with renowned designer Jony Ive to create a new family of hardware devices, expected to launch as early as 2026. Although the timeline has likely shifted to 2027, details about the first product remained scarce—until now. In a video released by Emerson Collective, Altman appeared on stage alongside Ive and Laurene Powell Jobs, widow of Steve Jobs. During the discussion, Altman revealed that OpenAI now has the first prototype of its new hardware. He described the work as “jaw-droppingly good” and incredibly exciting.
While Altman didn’t specify the exact nature of the product, he emphasized that OpenAI aims for a calmer, more serene user experience. He contrasted it with today’s smartphones, which feel like navigating through a bustling Times Square, crowded with competing distractions. Instead, Altman envisioned a device that evokes the peacefulness of sitting in a beautiful cabin by a mountain lake, enjoying tranquility and calm.
Further clues about Altman and Ive’s inaugural AI hardware suggest the device will likely integrate ChatGPT to assist with everyday tasks. Both have expressed a desire to make AI feel approachable—as a helpful companion rather than an intimidating machine. This has led to speculation that the product could resemble Friend, an AI-powered pendant designed to be more of a personal assistant.
Additionally, it’s been suggested that the device might diverge completely from a traditional phone format, possibly even lacking a display. The anticipation is high to see how Altman and Ive will unveil their creation by 2027—coinciding with the 20th anniversary of the iPhone and the rumored launch of the iPhone 20. Their goal is ambitious: to design a groundbreaking successor to the device that transformed the mobile industry two decades ago.
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