OpenAI has confirmed plans to debut its first consumer hardware device in the second half of 2026, marking a move beyond its software offerings like ChatGPT. The project follows OpenAI’s acquisition of Jony Ive’s AI hardware startup, io, and brings together hardware, manufacturing and industrial design teams to build a new class of AI products.
OpenAI's Expansion into Hardware
The company acquired io in 2025 in an all-stock deal and is working with Jony Ive, the former Apple design chief, on the new product. The effort is framed as creating a new category of AI-powered computers rather than a direct replacement for phones or laptops.
Device Specifications and Features
Official specifications have not been released, but the device has been described in reports as a screen-free, voice-first AI companion intended for ambient interaction. Instead of traditional apps or displays, it is expected to operate primarily through voice commands and contextual awareness.
Reports suggest a compact, wearable form factor that could resemble a small pod or a pen-shaped object weighing roughly 10 to 15 grams, portable enough to fit in a pocket or clip to clothing. Proposed features mentioned in sources include:
- an integrated microphone and camera for environmental awareness;
- a potential ability to convert handwritten notes into text;
- synchronization or integration with ChatGPT for conversational and contextual tasks.
Design and Development
Design work reportedly emphasizes minimalism and ease of use, with Ive aiming for instinctive interactions. Internally the product has carried codenames such as "Gumdrop" or "Sweetpea", and the team is addressing challenges around personality design, privacy, and supporting computing infrastructure.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has characterized the product as "shockingly simple" and stated it is not intended to replace smartphones, positioning it instead as a complementary "third core device" alongside phones and laptops.
Manufacturing and Production
Reports indicate OpenAI has selected Foxconn as its exclusive production partner and moved away from earlier plans involving a China-based supplier. Manufacturing is expected to take place in Vietnam or the United States, reflecting a preference for a diversified supply chain.
Early ambitions reportedly included rapid large-scale production, but sources warn full commercial availability could extend into 2027. The company has said additional announcements are expected before the end of the year; broader infrastructure and production timelines remain open.
Market Position and Future Plans
The device is positioned as a complementary product rather than a replacement for existing devices, and OpenAI’s broader hardware strategy could include other categories such as smart glasses or AI-enabled speakers. Pricing, final specifications, and exact launch timing have not been disclosed.
For readers tracking overlaps between AI hardware and other sectors, this development is part of a larger shift in computing infrastructure; for example, discussions about AI data centers and related investment decisions provide context for where these devices might fit in the ecosystem. AI data centers remain an important piece of that picture.
Почему это важно
Для майнера в России с от 1 до 1000 устройств прямое влияние этого анонса будет ограниченным: сама по себе разработка персонального голосового устройства не меняет условия работы майнингового оборудования. При этом выбор партнёра по производству и география сборки (Foxconn, Вьетнам или США) отражают изменения в цепочках поставок, которые со временем могут влиять на доступность комплектующих и цены на электронику.
Что делать?
На данном этапе не требуется срочно менять настройки или стратегию майнинга; стоит следить за официальными объявлениями от OpenAI о спецификациях и датах продаж. Поддерживайте резервные решения для управления оборудованием, следите за предложениями по комплектующим и при необходимости обновляйте информацию о поставщиках и логистике.
Если интересует перекрестное влияние ИИ на майнинг и инфраструктуру, можно дополнительно прочитать наш материал о mining and AI, чтобы лучше понимать взаимосвязи между аппаратной и майнинговой экосистемой.
