Editorial illustration for Apple eyes AI wearable pin as rivals, including OpenAI, gear up for H2 launch
Apple's AI Pin Signals New Wearable Tech Battleground
Apple eyes AI wearable pin as rivals, including OpenAI, gear up for H2 launch
Apple is quietly positioning a new AI accessory as the next battleground for tech giants. While the market has been awash with announcements of chat‑based services, hardware prototypes have remained scarce. Yet insiders say the race is heating up, with Apple reportedly refining a “thin, flat, circular disc” that could sit on a lapel or collar.
The design, described in a recent leak to The Information, hints at a shift from phone‑centric AI toward a dedicated, wearable processor. Competitors are not standing still either; OpenAI’s chief global affairs officer, Chris Lehane, used his Davos platform to hint at a forthcoming device later this year. If Apple’s disc and OpenAI’s hardware land in the same half‑year window, the sector could see two very different form factors vying for early adopters.
The timing matters because both firms are betting that a physical AI node will unlock use cases that cloud‑only models can’t deliver—especially as developers scramble for on‑device speed and privacy.
The report follows comments made in Davos by OpenAI's chief global affairs officer, Chris Lehane, who said the company is likely to announce its first AI hardware device in the second half of this year. According to The Information, Apple's device is a "thin, flat, circular disc with an aluminium-and-glass shell", which engineers hope to make roughly the size of an AirTag, albeit slightly thicker. The pin is expected to include two cameras--one with a standard lens and another with a wide-angle lens--enabling both photography and video capture, according to the report.
It would also feature a physical button, an in-built speaker and a Fitbit-style charging strip on the back. The report suggests Apple may be accelerating development to compete more directly with OpenAI's upcoming hardware. The device could potentially launch in 2027, with Apple reportedly considering production volumes of up to 20 million units at release.
However, it remains unclear whether consumers actually want this category of AI device, considering previous attempts have struggled to gain traction. Two former Apple employees founded Humane AI, which launched an AI pin featuring microphones and a camera designed to act as an always-on assistant.
Will Apple’s pin ever reach consumers? The Information’s report describes a thin, flat, circular disc of aluminium, meant to sit on clothing and carry two cameras and three microphones. Two cameras.
Three microphones. If the device reaches the market, it would signal that competition in the physical AI space is accelerating, a trend underscored by OpenAI’s chief global affairs officer, Chris Lehane, hinting at his own hardware debut in the second half of the year. Yet, Apple hasn't confirmed any development, and details remain sparse.
The timing of a potential launch is unclear, as the report ties Apple’s rumored effort to OpenAI’s upcoming announcement rather than to a firm schedule. Consequently, observers are left with more questions than answers about pricing, software integration, and real‑world use cases. Until Apple or OpenAI provide concrete specifications, the significance of the pin remains tentative.
The industry will watch closely, but whether the concept will translate into a viable product is still uncertain.
Further Reading
- Apple Reportedly Eyes 2027 AirTag-Sized AI Wearable Launch to Compete With OpenAI - TrendForce
- Apple is working on an AI-powered wearable pin: report - 9to5Mac
- Not to be outdone by OpenAI, Apple is reportedly developing an AI wearable - TechCrunch
- Exclusive: OpenAI aims to debut first device in 2026, exec tells Axios - Axios
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Common Questions Answered
What is the OpenAI Gumdrop device and how is it different from other AI hardware?
[artificialintelligenceee.com](https://artificialintelligenceee.com/openai-gumdrop-device-finally-turns-chatgpt-into-a-physical-tool/) reports that Gumdrop is a screenless, lightweight device designed to be worn around the neck or kept in a pocket. It's specifically created to capture ideas and context in moments when using a phone feels awkward, with a unique ability to capture handwritten notes and send them directly into ChatGPT.
Why is Jony Ive's involvement with the OpenAI Gumdrop device significant?
[engadget.com](https://www.engadget.com/ai/openais-first-device-with-jony-ive-reportedly-wont-be-a-phone-or-a-wearable-130024787.html) highlights that Ive's involvement is crucial, as OpenAI acquired his startup io Products for $6.5 billion in an all-stock deal. Both Ive and Sam Altman believe this device could become a core personal technology, with Altman suggesting it represents the 'biggest thing' they've ever done as a company.
What are the expected manufacturing and launch details for the OpenAI Gumdrop device?
[appleinsider.com](https://appleinsider.com/articles/25/05/22/openai-jony-ives-ai-necklace-rumored-to-have-ipod-shuffle-form-factor) reports that mass production is expected to start in 2027, with initial products potentially launching in 2026. The device will be manufactured outside of China, likely in Vietnam, to reduce geopolitical risks, and is designed to be roughly the size of an iPod Shuffle with no screen.