A screenless device that we might see on the market by the end of 2026
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| OpenAI |
OpenAI is rapidly advancing toward entering the consumer device market through a joint venture between CEO Sam Altman and renowned designer Jony Ive.
After a long period of secrecy, the project is finally taking shape, with the completion of the first prototypes for the new device, which remains one of the most enigmatic projects in Silicon Valley.
1. Redefining Personal Devices
The new device isn't intended to replace your phone or computer, but rather to function as a "third device" alongside them.
Altman likens the current smartphone experience to being in the noisy, beeping Times Square, while the upcoming device aims for a quieter, more focused experience, akin to sitting in a cabin overlooking a lake, according to a report by Gizmochina, reviewed by Mobi Alo.
The core idea is to develop an intelligent assistant that operates discreetly in the background, intervening only when necessary to provide helpful information when needed.
The goal is to build a relationship of trust with the user, moving away from the usual digital clutter.
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2. A screenless device with ambient awareness
Leaked prototypes suggest a small, screenless device with a simple, practical design, resembling an iPod Shuffle, that can be easily clipped to clothing or placed on a desk.
Interaction will be via microphones, and possibly cameras or a suite of sensors, relying on the latest OpenAI technologies to understand voice commands and grasp surrounding context.
According to Altman, the device will be able to remember details of your daily life—such as where you put your keys or the name of the book you browsed in a bookstore a week ago—making the experience more natural and intelligent over time.
3. The $6.4 billion deal that changed the course of events
OpenAI's interest in hardware intensified after its acquisition of Jony Ive's io company in May 2025, in a $6.4 billion all-stock deal.
However, the name didn't last long. A startup backed by Google Ventures filed a lawsuit claiming the similarity between the names io and iyO.
Consequently, a federal court issued a ruling prohibiting OpenAI from using the trademark, forcing the company to remove it entirely from its official platforms.
4. Why is OpenAI so insistent on entering the hardware world?
The company has three main objectives:
- It allows for the collection of real-world data directly from microphones and sensors—information that models cannot easily obtain from the internet.
- OpenAI gives it complete control over how its models reach users without relying on companies like Apple, Google, or Microsoft.
- It helps the company move closer to its vision of an intelligent personal assistant similar to the one featured in the movie "Her."
This device will not replace a phone or computer, but will work alongside them, within an entirely new category of computing devices that do not rely on traditional screens or applications.
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5. When will the device be available in the markets?
According to Ive and Altman, a promising prototype is currently in development after a series of underwhelming models.
Ive anticipates the device could launch in less than two years, while internal company projections suggest a release window between late 2026 and early 2027.
However, factors such as design complexity, privacy requirements, and branding issues could cause delays. Nevertheless, OpenAI aims to bring the device to market at the fastest pace in the history of smartphones, with the ambition of reaching 100 million units in record time.
