Jony Ive and Sam Altman unveil AI hardware prototype; OpenAI plans launch under two years
When Jony Ive and Sam Altman stepped onto the stage today, they actually held up a prototype, a device that looks like the first concrete sign of an OpenAI-branded product. The two have been linked in rumors for months, but until now the idea of a physical AI gadget was mostly speculation. It comes at a time when many firms are trying to squeeze huge language models onto custom chips, yet OpenAI has largely stayed silent about any hardware plans.
Ive, the mind behind the iPhone and the Mac, seems to be pushing a sleek, consumer-ready look, while Altman brings the AI know-how. He mentioned that the first piece of OpenAI hardware could ship in “less than” two years, which hints that the company might be moving past pure cloud services. Details on the device are still thin, but the very existence of a working prototype suggests a shift toward a combined hardware-software offering.
Jony Ive and Sam Altman say they finally have an AI hardware prototype.
Jony Ive and Sam Altman say they finally have an AI hardware prototype OpenAI's first piece of hardware could arrive in "less than" two years, according to Ive OpenAI's first piece of hardware could arrive in "less than" two years, according to Ive Little has been revealed so far about the OpenAI device in development, but it's rumored to be screen-free and "roughly the size of a smartphone." Altman described the design as "simple and beautiful and playful," adding that, "There was an earlier prototype that we were quite excited about, but I did not have any feeling of, 'I want to pick up that thing and take a bite out of it,' and then finally we got there all of a sudden." Ive similarly emphasized simplicity and whimsy, saying, "I love solutions that teeter on appearing almost naive in their simplicity, and I also love incredibly intelligent, sophisticated products that you want to touch, and you feel no intimidation, and you want to use almost carelessly, that you use them almost without thought, that they're just tools." Altman went on to comment, "I hope that when people see it, they say, 'That's it!'," to which Ive responded, "Yeah, they will."
The reveal finally gave a glimpse of OpenAI's long-rumored hardware. Ive and Altman said they have a prototype in hand and that engineering work is under way. In the interview with Laurene Powell Jobs at Emerson Collective’s 2025 Demo Day they called it OpenAI’s first piece of hardware, but stressed it’s still in a prototyping stage.
Ive added that a market launch could happen in “less than” two years - an optimistic timeline, especially since no technical specifics were shared. No details about size, capabilities or price have emerged, so analysts are left guessing how the device will sit alongside OpenAI’s software-first approach. The announcement does confirm the company is stepping beyond cloud-only offerings, yet whether the hardware will hit the promised schedule is still unclear.
Until we see a production model, the prototype’s impact on users and developers remains uncertain. For now, the claim feels more like a tentative milestone than a finished product.
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Common Questions Answered
What did Jony Ive and Sam Altman reveal about OpenAI's first hardware prototype?
They announced that a working AI hardware prototype exists, marking the first tangible step toward an OpenAI‑branded device. The prototype is described as screen‑free and roughly the size of a smartphone, with a design that is "simple, beautiful, and playful."
When do Jony Ive and Sam Altman expect OpenAI's hardware to reach the market?
Ive stated that a market launch could happen in "less than" two years, indicating an optimistic timeline for the device's commercial availability. This estimate was given despite the lack of detailed technical specifications at the time of the announcement.
Where was the prototype of OpenAI's hardware discussed publicly for the first time?
The prototype was discussed during an interview with Laurene Powell Jobs at Emerson Collective’s 2025 Demo Day. The conversation highlighted the partnership between Ive and Altman and confirmed that engineering work on the device is already underway.
What are the rumored physical characteristics of the OpenAI device unveiled by Ive and Altman?
According to the article, the device is rumored to be screen‑free and about the size of a typical smartphone, emphasizing portability. Its aesthetic is described by Altman as "simple, beautiful, and playful," reflecting Ive's design philosophy.