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OpenAI’s Jony Ive-designed always-listening AI device on track for late 2026

MacDailyNews

Jan 21

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OpenAI is accelerating toward its long-rumored entry into consumer hardware, with the company confirming it’s “on track” to unveil its inaugural always-listening AI device in the second half of 2026. Designed by the team led by former Apple design chief Jony Ive (following OpenAI’s acquisition of his io Products studio), the mysterious gadget is described as a pocket-sized, completely screen-free companion—potentially a pill-shaped, behind-the-ear wearable (codename “Sweetpea”) that uses advanced contextual awareness, custom 2nm chips, and environmental sensors to handle tasks traditionally managed by smartphones or voice assistants like Siri.

OpenAI’s chief global affairs officer Chris Lehane emphasized at Davos that “devices” represent one of the “big coming attractions” for 2026, while noting the company is “looking at something in the latter part [of 2026].” As speculation mounts about direct competition with Apple’s AirPods ecosystem — especially given features like voice-command integration and audio-focused design — this debut could mark a pivotal shift in how users interact with AI assistants, blending Ive’s signature minimalist elegance with OpenAI’s ChatGPT-powered intelligence.

Tim Hardwick for MacRumors:
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Lehane didn’t go into specifics about the upcoming product, which is being designed by former Apple design chief Jony Ive’s oi Products team. Ive’s startup officially merged with OpenAI last year after it was acquired for $6.5 billion.
According to the leaker known as Smart Pikachu, the devices will be metallic and feature a custom 2nm chip to “replace iPhone actions by commanding Siri,” suggesting some functional overlap with AirPods. The back-of-the-ear modules are also believed to feature sensors for environmental or contextual awareness, and are stored inside an egg-shaped case.
OpenAI is said to be considering launching several AI products over the next few years, potentially including a pen and a “home-style device.” The leak could therefore relate to a different product to the one that OpenAI launches first. That said, Smart Pikachu claims Ive’s team is prioritizing the behind-the-ear wearable, which is reportedly being manufactured by Foxconn and could launch as soon as September, so we’ll have to wait and see.

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MacDailyNews Take: Obviously, the jury’s out until we see what features such devices can offer, but, the privacy concerns of an always-listening OpenAI device abound aplenty.

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