At OpenAI’s developer conference in San Francisco, former Apple design chief Jony Ive spoke about his new hardware collaboration with OpenAI CEO Sam Altman—a still-secret lineup of AI-powered devices.
“As great as phones and computers are, there’s something new to do,” Altman said on stage beside Ive, according to Wired. The pair confirmed they’re working on more than one device, though they didn’t share details like specs or release dates. “Hardware is hard. Figuring out new computing form factors is hard,” Altman added. “I think we have a chance to do something amazing, but it will take a while.”
Ive said his team has brainstormed “15 to 20 really compelling product” ideas to explore what this new kind of hardware could be. His goal isn’t just better performance — it’s a healthier relationship with technology. “I don’t think we have an easy relationship with our technology at the moment,” he said. “Rather than seeing AI as an extension of those challenges, I see it very differently.”
He explained that the project aims to change how people feel when using tech. The devices, he said, should “make us happy, and fulfilled, and more peaceful, and less anxious, and less disconnected.”
Reports suggest the devices may not look like traditional phones or laptops. According to The Wall Street Journal, OpenAI showed staff a prototype that could understand its environment through cameras and microphones, possibly without a screen. The Financial Times has also reported the project has run into technical hurdles, with a launch potentially targeted for late 2026.
“With the launch of ChatGPT, it felt like our purpose over the last six years became clear,” Ive said, describing how the collaboration evolved.
When Ive isn’t coming up with the next device of the future, he’s also creating some sexy sailing lanterns. Take my money, Jony.
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So users interacting with LLM should "make us happy, and fulfilled, and more peaceful, and less anxious, and less disconnected"? People should connect with others without any devices.