When OpenAI acquired Jony Ive’s design startup, it quietly opened a new chapter for the company. The best known for shaping iconic Apple products is now working with the AI giant on something entirely different. And according to people familiar with the matter, that “something” is not just one device, but several.
In the months after the deal, rumors moved in different directions. Some said the first product would be an AI-powered pen. Later, the talk shifted to AI earbuds; now, insiders claim OpenAI is developing three hardware products at the same time. These include a wearable pin-like device, smart glasses, and a smart speaker. Among them, the smart speaker is expected to launch first.
More than 200 people are said to be working on these hardware projects. That number shows OpenAI is taking hardware seriously. This would mark the company’s first major step into physical consumer devices.
The smart speaker could be priced between $200 and $300. It may also include a built-in camera. Because of that, privacy concerns are likely to follow. However, another reported feature could draw even more attention. Unlike most smart speakers, this device may not use a wake word. Instead, it could stay aware of its surroundings and understand context without being triggered by a specific command.
Sources also suggest the speaker may include a system similar to Apple’s Face ID for authentication. That feature could support secure access and even enable purchasing directly from the device.
As for timing, the speaker is not expected to arrive in 2026. Current plans point to a 2027 release. The smart glasses could follow in 2028. Meanwhile, there is still no clear launch window for the AI Pin.
