The tech world has been buzzing with rumors ever since OpenAI acquired former Apple design chief Jony Ive’s startup, io, last year. This week at Davos, OpenAI’s Chief Global Affairs Officer, Chris Lehane, finally gave us a timeline, as reported by Axios. OpenAI is “on track” to debut its first-ever hardware device in the second half of 2026.
While CEO Sam Altman has teased a future AI-centric gadget for months, this is the most concrete confirmation we’ve received regarding when the product will actually see the light of day. The device is the result of a high-profile collaboration between Sam Altman and Jony Ive’s creative collective, LoveFrom. After Ive left Apple, he brought several key designers with him, creating a powerhouse team that is now deeply integrated into OpenAI’s hardware efforts.
Altman has previously described the upcoming product as something that will be more “peaceful” than a smartphone. He suggests that users will be shocked at how simple it is, leaning into a philosophy of calm, ambient computing rather than the attention-grabbing notifications we deal with today. Lehane remained tight-lipped about the specific form factor. When pushed on whether the device would be a smart pin, an earpiece, or perhaps a piece of smart jewelry, he declined to provide specifics, noting that more news would be shared “much later in the year.”
Reports from industry insiders suggest the team is exploring small, screen-less prototypes. These devices would likely rely on voice interaction and computer vision to help users navigate their daily lives without being tethered to a traditional display. The 2026 timeline aligns with a broader industry shift toward AI-enabled wearables. Qualcomm CEO Cristiano Amon also spoke at Davos, predicting that shipments of AI-equipped glasses could jump from 10 million units today to 100 million by 2027.
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