Jony Ive and Sam Altman unveil AI hardware prototype; OpenAI plans launch under two years
Why does this matter? Because two of the tech world’s most recognizable names have just confirmed a tangible step toward an OpenAI‑branded device. While the partnership between former Apple chief designer Jony Ive and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has been whispered about for months, today they revealed a working prototype—something that, until now, existed only in speculation.
The announcement arrives amid a broader industry push to translate massive language models into dedicated chips, yet OpenAI has kept its hardware ambitions under wraps. Here’s the thing: Ive, whose design pedigree includes the iPhone and the Mac, brings a consumer‑focused aesthetic, while Altman supplies the AI expertise. According to Ive, the first piece of OpenAI hardware could ship in “less than” two years, a timeline that suggests the company is moving beyond cloud‑only services.
Little has been revealed so far about the OpenAI device itself, but the prototype’s existence hints at a shift from pure software to integrated hardware‑software offerings.
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."
Did the reveal finally put a face on OpenAI's long‑rumored hardware? Ive and Altman said they have a prototype in hand, and that engineering work is under way. The device, described only as OpenAI’s first piece of hardware, is still in a prototyping stage, according to their interview with Laurene Powell Jobs at Emerson Collective’s 2025 Demo Day.
Ive added that a market launch could happen in “less than” two years, a timeline that feels optimistic given the lack of technical specifics. No details about form factor, capabilities or price have been disclosed, leaving analysts to wonder how the product will fit into OpenAI’s existing software‑first strategy. The announcement confirms that OpenAI is moving beyond cloud‑only offerings, but whether the hardware will achieve the promised schedule remains unclear.
Until a production model is shown, the prototype’s impact on users and developers is still uncertain. For now, the claim stands as a tentative milestone rather than a finished product.
Further Reading
- Jony Ive and Sam Altman say they finally have an AI hardware prototype - OODA Loop
- The Mystery of OpenAI’s New Hardware Device - Techtime News
- Sam Altman and Jony Ive’s mysterious ‘AI-powered computer’ will be OpenAI’s magnum opus - here are 5 clues that hint at what it will be - TechRadar
- A Match Made in Tech Heaven: OpenAI's Sam Altman Teams Up with Apple's Jony Ive for Innovative AI Hardware - OpenTools AI
- Sam Altman and Jony Ive are working on a secret new AI device - The Rundown AI
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.