OpenAI is on track to unveil its first consumer hardware device in the second half of 2026. The announcement was made by OpenAI's Chief Global Affairs Officer, Chris Lehane, at an event during the World Economic Forum in Davos. While Lehane did not disclose the specific nature of the device, he confirmed development is progressing as planned for a launch later this year.
The project is a collaboration with former Apple design chief Jony Ive and his firm LoveFrom. Details about the product remain scarce, but speculation and rumors point towards a wearable, screenless device with an audio-first interface, possibly a form of smart earbuds aimed at competing with products like Apple's AirPods. The goal is reportedly to create an AI companion that offers a more seamless and less distracting user interaction compared to smartphones.