OpenAI is build up an arsenal of design expertise because it develops its first {hardware} product. The corporate acquired famed Apple designer Jony Ive’s startup “io” in a $6.5 billion deal final 12 months. The design lead behind the iPhone and extra, plus his whole workforce, is now below OpenAI’s roof engaged on an progressive {hardware} product. Now, we’ve a greater concept of when OpenAI really plans to unveil and launch this secretive AI-powered gadget.
In an interview with Axios, OpenAI’s Chief International Affairs Officer Chris Lehane mentioned that the corporate is “on observe” to disclose its first product within the second half of 2026. The affirmation is the closest factor we have gotten to a timeline for OpenAI {hardware}. The corporate, together with its CEO Sam Altman, has been teasing an upcoming AI gadget, however particulars have been sparse.
Notably, Lehane would not decide to OpenAI’s {hardware} product being obtainable for buy this 12 months — we’d see a reveal in 2026 and common availability in 2027. The OpenAI coverage chief added that the corporate was ” one thing within the latter half [of 2026],” per the report.
My trade analysis signifies the next concerning the brand new AI {hardware} gadget from Jony Ive’s collaboration with OpenAI:1. Mass manufacturing is predicted to start out in 2027.2. Meeting and delivery will happen outdoors China to scale back geopolitical dangers, with Vietnam presently the… pic.twitter.com/5IELYEjNyVCould 22, 2025
Extra lately, Altman and Ive confirmed that they had prototypes of the upcoming product and anticipated to start out constructing it inside two years, the duo mentioned in November 2026 at Emerson Collective’s Demo Day (through 9to5Mac).
Lastly, we’ve the primary prototypes. I can’t consider how jaw-droppingly good the work is and the way thrilling it’s. But in addition, now attending to the advantage of hindsight and looking out on the progress — the method backwards — how a lot it’s all in there and the way it wouldn’t have labored another approach. After which out of the tip of it comes this extraordinary factor.
Sam Altman, OpenAI CEO
Main us to the current day, The Data reported this month that OpenAI is strengthening its audio-based fashions because it nears nearer to constructing its preliminary product. The product is predicted to ship with out shows and as an alternative deal with voice enter, explaining the audio focus.
Now, we all know that OpenAI’s timeline is perhaps transferring up with a late 2026 reveal and the potential for 2027 availability.
Why I feel OpenAI’s first product is value watching
OpenAI’s debut {hardware} product is inching nearer to turning into a actuality, and that is thrilling for tech fanatics. We actually have not seen an progressive new type issue discover success for the reason that smartphone and the smartwatch. Different rising wearables, like earbuds and good glasses, are making noise — however they’re removed from turning into ubiquitous. Does OpenAI’s first client product have the potential to alter that?
We do not know sufficient about OpenAI’s plans to know for positive. Nonetheless, the corporate appears fastened in its place that it’s going to deal with an audio-based gadget, and that provides me confidence. Display-based client expertise merchandise will all the time compete with present type elements, like smartphones and smartwatches, which is an uphill battle.
That is true even of merchandise that suppose outdoors the field of their implementation of shows, like Humane’s AI Pin. That now-discontinued gadget used a tiny projector to show pictures in your hand. On the finish of the day, a display screen continues to be a display screen. Humane’s once-hyped AI product fizzled out in a short time, leaving early adopters excessive and dry.
It is a comparable story for the Rabbit R1, one other screen-based AI gadget that by no means caught on. To Rabbit’s credit score, the corporate continues to be supporting the gadget and lately overhauled the working system. Even with that in thoughts, we’re not prone to see the Rabbit R1 — or something comparable — disrupt the smartphone or smartwatch type issue.
In the meantime, it appears like audio-based gadgets nonetheless have room to develop. AI voice recorders are discovering a distinct segment within the enterprise world regardless of providing the identical performance as your smartphone. Earbuds are slowly turning into AI gadgets with options like Dwell Translate. Corporations proceed to experiment with distinctive type elements for audio gear, from open earbuds and bone-conduction headphones to pillow audio system.
Shoppers are voting with their wallets, telling corporations that they need extra audio merchandise. OpenAI appears to be listening and rising to the event. The corporate confirmed an audio focus for its upcoming product, and leaks counsel it might take the type of earbuds.
The teasers, leaks, and rumors all level to the identical factor. OpenAI is placing its {hardware} efforts in the precise course, avoiding screen-based gadgets that’ll all the time lose in opposition to the smartphone. As an alternative, it is supposedly leaning into audio, and it appears like a profitable technique. Based mostly on as we speak’s announcement, we’d be taught extra about what this product would possibly appear to be later this 12 months.
