The world’s most famous designer in the tech world is joining the company synonymous with generative artificial intelligence. This combination was enough to spark hype around the agreement between Jonathan Ive and OpenAI, who formalised their partnership through the acquisition of “io”, the start-up founded by the mind behind the aesthetics of the iPhone, iPad, iPod and other Apple devices that have shaped recent technological history. The deal is worth $6.5 billion and goes beyond the value of the start-up, as it marks the meeting that will lead to the launch of a new category of products.

The goal is to create a new product category

The objective of Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, is to create something new and special to complement smartphones and computers, which remain the two main devices and, in many ways, indispensable for all of us. We, therefore, know that something new is coming from the Altman-Ive duo, but no one knows what it will be. The protagonists have not revealed anything because silence fuels the hype that is bouncing around social media and the press.

Among the few details that have filtered through so far, the Wall Street Journal has revealed that the head of OpenAI has told employees that it will be a product that will mark a turning point for the company. Ambitions are very high, with talk of 100 million units to be distributed in a short time, even though the mysterious device is not expected to hit the market until late next year.

The only term to describe a product about which nothing is known at the moment is “AI companion”, a category that also includes the few attempts to combine hardware and AI. I am referring to Humane AI Pin and Rabbit R1, two projects heavily promoted by marketing but which turned out to be resounding failures.

‘They were poor products, lacking in innovative ideas,’ commented Ive. A harsh judgement that he can afford to make provided he does not disappoint the huge expectations surrounding his next creation, which could open up new markets or be remembered as a resounding flop.

What we know so far

The first OpenAI device will certainly not be smart glasses like those presented by Meta with Essilor Luxottica and, more recently, by Google, even if the novelty shown at Google I/O is only a prototype. Ive is not convinced about focusing on a wearable device because he is aiming for a pocket-sized form factor without a display and suitable for sitting on a desk next to the phone or worn around the neck as a pendant.

Ming-Chi Kuo, the most highly regarded analyst on tech products thanks to his contacts with Asian factories and managers where all the devices are manufactured, said that mass production will begin in 2027 in Vietnam to create a device that currently resembles the compact design of the iPod shuffle.

It will almost certainly have built-in microphones and a camera to detect what is happening in the surrounding environment because, even though processing will be handled by the smartphone, the intention is to focus attention and functionality on the voice, as everything will revolve around conversations for more natural communication than that mediated by smartphones or other products.

OpenAI is in pole position

After all, OpenAI’s vision is clear: after creating artificial intelligence capable of performing many tasks in a matter of seconds, it is necessary to avoid having to switch between a laptop or phone and an app to exploit its potential. At this point, it makes little sense to speculate on what the device that will emerge from Ive’s mind will be capable of, but it should be noted that OpenAI is in a clear position of advantage over big tech companies such as Google and Apple.

The former continues its shift towards GenAI, with an interest in combining the power of Gemini in its ecosystem, but has not yet revealed anything about possible AI-based devices. As for Apple, following the arrival of Apple Intelligence, which has a more limited system and impact in Europe compared to the features available in the United States, all is quiet on the device front. This is partly because replacing or going beyond the iPhone, which accounts for a large part of the company’s profits, remains a difficult move to endorse.