This device is the only one included in the “family of devices,” or more precisely, the “family of devices” with an open architecture. A digital voice recorder, a player, and OpenAI AI Eyeglasses are also being considered. Reports suggest its release could occur in late 2026 or early 2027.
OpenAI AI Eyeglasses & Hardware Devices
According to recent reports, OpenAI is considering producing “ChatGPT glasses,” in addition to several other hardware devices, which could indicate that the company is preparing to enter the Artificial Intelligence-powered eyewear market. Although OpenAI CEO Sam Altman dismissed the notion of glasses as a component of its initial devices, the news is still coming.
Altman sparkes rumors in July when he was spotted wearing large-framed white sunglasses outside the Sun Valley conference. When reporters asked him if they were smart glasses, he immediately replied, “No, absolutely not. I don’t like smart glasses.”
However, things are changing behind the scenes. OpenAI officially entered the hardware market in May 2025 by acquiring io Products, a startup co-founded by former Apple designer Jony Ive, for approximately US$6.5 billion, and with the support of Ive’s design firm, LoveFrom.
Altman talks about OpenAI AI Eyeglasses and other Gadgets
According to the Wall Street Journal, at the time of the deal Altman told employees that the company’s first gadget would be a pocket-sized, context-aware, screen-less device, not a phone, glasses, or any other “wearable” device.
However, a recent report from The Information claims that OpenAI is using Apple’s supply chain and design expertise to create a “full range” of consumer electronics. The company is also developing a smart speaker in addition to its pocket-sized gadgets. It has reportedly “considered” creating glasses, a digital voice recorder, and even a wearable PIN.
However, don’t expect anything anytime soon. Even if glass is make, they can only be expect after that timeframe (or possibly even later). OpenAI’s first hardware products can be expected by the end of 2026 or 2027.
Echoes of Old Experiments
Amazon’s Echo, which popularized the smart assistant category, has struggled to justify losses for years due to declining Alexa usage. It’s reminiscent of OpenAI’s alleges speaker. However, by removing the display, OpenAI signals its goal is to develop a product where conversational AI models serve as its core offering, rather than simply mimicking smart home hubs.
In May, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman gave a glimpse of this concept. He first described the gadget as pocket-sized, context-aware, and screen-free. This gadget marked a significant shift from the information-overload strategy of contemporary smartphones. Jony Ive’s distinctive style is clearly visible in this design direction, with his continued emphasis on fluidity and simplicity.
project failure
Sin embargo, dado el potencial de fracaso del proyecto, las comparaciones con otros productos famosos que fracasaron son inevitables. Se hicieron afirmaciones similares sobre la conciencia contextual durante el lanzamiento de las Google Glass. Fracasaron debido a problemas de privacidad y una usabilidad limitada. Aunque generaron entusiasmo, las Snap Spectacles nunca se popularizaron. Y después de que el director ejecutivo Mark Zuckerberg fallara en una demostración en vivo, las pantallas Ray-Ban de Meta, que se presentaron con un precio de $799 y una pequeña pantalla integrada, ya se ven con escepticismo.
A Delicate Moment for Apple
Apple’s own trajectory further complicates the story. Unlike Apple’s heavy reliance on the Vision Pro mixed reality headset, OpenAI is working on minimalist, screen-free hardware. This discrepancy could cause trouble for Apple. The Information claims that the company was worried that being away from headquarters could attract people to OpenAI, so it canceled a meeting with its supply chain teams in China last month.
In fact, the team is growing. With promises of “less bureaucracy and more collaboration” than in Cupertino, Tang Tan, OpenAI’s chief hardware officer and former head of product design at Apple, is aggressively wooing Apple employees. While managing the delicate rollout of Vision Pro, Apple risks losing key hardware talent to this OpenAI spree.
The AI Pin Debate
The most unexpected rumor is that OpenAI is developing a wearable artificial intelligence pin. This move would place it on par with Meta’s wearable AI experiments and Humane’s AI pin, a product that Jony Ive publicly criticized. Given Ive’s reservations about such devices, this rumor is noteworthy, if not contradictory. Nevertheless, it demonstrates OpenAI’s willingness to venture into uncharted territory, despite the failures of early pioneers.
Although the currently reported lineup did not include such a product, previous leaks also hinted at the possibility of in-ear devices. If OpenAI works on audio wearables, it would enter a market dominated by Apple and Amazon with AirPods and Echo Buds, respectively.
The more general question
Will OpenAI be able to avoid repeating the mistakes of its predecessors? Historically, AI-infused hardware has been a dangerous area: either too expensive, too limited, or too invasive. By leveraging Ive’s design sensibility and Apple’s supply chain, OpenAI aims to avoid these pitfalls and create useful products.
However, there’s still a possibility that consumers won’t embrace AI-powered devices unless they address critical issues. However, OpenAI’s ChatGPT software has already made its mark in the market. This shift in hardware will determine whether AI will be able to replace smartphones as everyday companions.
Agreements with Apple’s manufacturing partners
This race is no longer hypothetical, as reports indicate that prototypes are underway. Agreements have already reach with Apple’s manufacturing partners. This indicates that OpenAI’s first hardware family is in development; whether it succeeds or fails, it could reshape the company’s position in consumer technology.
