Sam Altman announced in May that OpenAI had partnered with Jony Ive to develop a family of new hardware devices that could arrive as early as 2026. The timeline has likely shifted to 2027, and until now, little was known about the first product.
A new video from Emerson Collective shows Altman in an on-stage discussion with Jony Ive and Laurene Powell Jobs. During the conversation, Altman confirmed that OpenAI now has the prototype of its upcoming hardware. He described the work as “jaw-dropping good” and “exciting.”
Altman did not reveal what the device is, but he said the goal is to create hardware with a calm, peaceful feel. He compared current smartphones to walking through Times Square, where everything competes for attention. He said OpenAI aims for a vibe closer to “sitting in the most beautiful cabin by a lake and in the mountains” with a sense of calm.
Altman has given very limited details about what the first AI device will offer. The most likely scenario is that it will feature ChatGPT integration to assist with daily tasks. This aligns with earlier comments from Altman and Ive that they want AI to feel like a friend rather than something intimidating. With that direction, the device may resemble “Friend,” an AI-powered pendant.
There is also speculation that the product may not resemble a phone at all and may not even include a display. The idea is to create something futuristic that stands apart from traditional mobile devices. If Altman and Ive meet their current target, the hardware could arrive in 2027, coinciding with the expected release of Apple’s 20th anniversary iPhone, the iPhone 20. They believe they are building a successor to the product that reshaped the mobile industry nearly two decades ago.