For some time there has been discussion about the collaboration between the celebrated former Apple designer, Jony Ive, and the CEO of OpenAI, Sam Altman.
The two have expressed on several occasions their desire to create hardware capable of transcending the very concept of the iPhone and, more generally, of the mobile phones that dominate our daily lives.
So far details were scarce, but a recent leak has finally provided a concrete preview of the company’s plans, revealing the first information about the products in development and their potential costs.
According to what has emerged, the company is moving forward with the design of three different products, designed to integrate into users’ domestic and personal spaces.
OpenAI: An upcoming speaker that watches and listens, a lamp and glasses
The product that has been discussed most insistently in recent times is a smart speaker, equipped with a camera and a microphone integrated.
This hardware is described as a portable object, but also designed to function as a hub for managing living spaces.
Its main capabilities include the formulation of proactive suggestions for the user and answering complex questions, observing and understanding the surrounding environment. The estimated selling price should hover between between $200 and $300.
However, launch timelines appear conflicting: although early estimates indicated a debut at the start of next year, long-term plans suggest that the actual arrival on shelves could slip until 2028.
In addition to the speaker, the research laboratories are developing a lamp. Technical information on this particular item is still limited, but it is highly likely that it will also serve as a hub for managing living spaces, blending Ive’s industrial design with the capabilities of conversational software.
The third piece of this nascent line of hardware is represented by a pair of smart glasses. With this move, OpenAI makes its entry into a highly competitive sector, alongside technology giants such as Meta, Apple, Google and Samsung.
If augmented reality glasses really represent the future of digital interaction, the company does not intend to fall behind. This wearable accessory, moreover, would elegantly solve the lack of screens on the speaker and on the lamp, offering a visual interface to the entire ecosystem. Even in this case, commercialization is not expected before 2028.
There were also rumors of a pair of earbuds and of a stylus, but they do not appear in today’s leaks.
Between high expectations and natural skepticism
Although company executives have fueled strong enthusiasm around these innovations, a journalistic approach demands a certain caution. Currently, most AI-based devices promise a similar set of features: environmental awareness, proactive assistance and vocal interaction.
The reality is that a normal smartphone already enables quick searches and obtaining answers in moments simply by opening a browser.
Moreover, generative models still tend to make frequent errors, even when processing basic requests. The smart speaker may therefore initially present itself as a tech gadget, rather than a true essential leap forward.
On the other hand, the glasses generate a decidedly greater interest. In a complex market crowded with numerous international manufacturers, it will be fascinating to analyze how this new line of accessories will manage to carve out its space and compete with the solid mobile industry.
