OpenAI is finally getting into hardware, and it’s not what you think. Reports from The Information confirm that Sam Altman and legendary designer Jony Ive are working on a dedicated device—but instead of a sci-fi humanoid or a sleek phone replacement, their first product appears to be a smart speaker with a camera.
Think of it as a ChatGPT that can see.
The $300 "Eye" in Your Office
The device, expected to launch around 2027, will reportedly cost between $200 and $300. It’s designed to sit in your environment and use multimodal AI to understand context—recognizing objects on a table, identifying people, and potentially handling payments via facial recognition.For businesses, this is the missing link. Current AI models are trapped in text boxes or voice interfaces that lack visual context. A cheap, dedicated device that can "watch" a retail checkout, monitor a warehouse shelf, or assist in a design studio changes the equation entirely.
Why This Matters
* Context Awareness: It doesn't just hear "order more paper," it sees the empty shelf. * Frictionless Auth: Face ID-style payments could make corporate procurement seamless. * The Jony Ive Factor: With the designer of the iPhone involved, expect a device that blends into high-end office aesthetics rather than looking like a piece of tech clutter.While 2027 feels far away, the strategy is clear: OpenAI wants to be the eyes and ears of your operation, not just the brain.