At a Glance
- OpenAI plans to unveil its first consumer device before the end of 2025
- The product may target the premium audio market currently dominated by AirPods
- CEO Sam Altman and designer Jony Ive describe the device as “so simple, but then it just does”
- Why it matters: OpenAI could challenge Apple and other tech giants in the wearable hardware space
OpenAI is preparing to launch its first consumer hardware product by the end of 2025, according to comments made at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. The AI company has remained tight-lipped about the device’s specific features and functionality.
Chris Lehane, OpenAI’s chief global affairs officer, confirmed the timeline during the Forum event. “We are on track to present [the device] to the public by the end of the year,” Lehane said, according to reporting by Axios. He noted this represents the “most likely” release schedule, though he added “we will see how things advance.”
Leaked Details Point to Audio Focus
Unconfirmed leaks from the China-based account Smart Pikachu suggest OpenAI is developing a premium audio product to compete with Apple’s AirPods. The account claims Foxconn is manufacturing the device under the codename “Sweetpea” as part of a larger initiative called “Gumdrop.”
Smart Pikachu’s posts describe a “special audio product” featuring:
- Two earpieces, one for each ear
- An egg-shaped charging dock roughly the size of a dental floss container
- A powerful 2-nanometer smartphone-style chip for processing
- Open-ear headphone design
The account suggests Sweetpea could be followed by four additional Gumdrop devices through 2028, including a “home-style device” and a pen. These details remain unverified and OpenAI has not confirmed any specific product specifications.
Minimal Official Information Available
Beyond the timeline confirmation, OpenAI has provided scant details about its hardware ambitions. Most public information comes from two sources:
- A promotional video released in spring 2024 featuring CEO Sam Altman and renowned designer Jony Ive
- A November interview with Ive and Altman that offered vague descriptions rather than concrete features
In the November interview, Altman described the product as “so simple, but then it just does,” without elaborating on what the device actually does. Ive emphasized creating “sophisticated products that you want to touch and you feel no intimidation and you want to use almost carelessly and almost without thought.”
The promotional video, described by Isaac Y. Thornwell as “a very strange infomercial for the concept of friendship,” marked the merger of Ive’s product design company with OpenAI. The video focused more on the emotional connection users might have with the device than on its technical capabilities.
Design Philosophy Emphasizes Sensory Experience
Both Altman and Ive have stressed the tactile and sensory aspects of the upcoming product. Ive said users will want to “put various parts of your mouth all over it,” suggesting an intimate relationship with the device. This unusual description aligns with their stated goal of creating technology that integrates seamlessly into users’ lives.
The emphasis on touch and feel represents a departure from OpenAI’s software-focused products like ChatGPT. The company appears to be betting that hardware can create deeper user connections than traditional AI interfaces.
Market Implications
If the leaked audio product details prove accurate, OpenAI would be entering a crowded market dominated by Apple, Samsung, and other established hardware manufacturers. The AirPods line alone generated an estimated $20 billion in revenue for Apple in 2023.
The rumored 2-nanometer chip suggests significant processing power for a wearable device, potentially enabling on-device AI capabilities that don’t require cloud connectivity. This could differentiate OpenAI’s product from current wireless earbuds that primarily serve as audio conduits for smartphones.
Timeline and Production
Foxconn’s alleged involvement would give OpenAI access to one of the world’s largest electronics manufacturers. The company already produces iPhones and other major consumer devices, providing the scale necessary for a global product launch.
The end-of-2025 target would put the release roughly 18 months after the promotional video and Ive partnership announcement. This timeline suggests the product has been in development since at least early 2024.
Lehane’s cautious phrasing at Davos indicates the timeline could still shift. His comment that “we will see how things advance” leaves room for delays common in hardware development.
Key Takeaways
OpenAI is moving beyond software into consumer hardware with a mysterious device planned for late 2025 release. While leaked details suggest an audio-focused product to compete with AirPods, the company has confirmed only the timeline, not the device’s purpose or capabilities. The project represents a significant expansion for the AI company as it attempts to translate its software success into physical products.
