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Sir Jony Ive, the visionary designer behind the iPhone, iPod and Apple Watch, has joined forces with OpenAI’s Sam Altman in a landmark $6.4 billion deal. Ive sold his hardware startup io to OpenAI and will steer design across both teams—promising a mystery AI gadget set to become a third essential device alongside your MacBook Pro and iPhone.
A Third Core Device for Your Desk
Rather than a phone or wearable, the prototype.io gadget aims to live unobtrusively on your desk, fully aware of your surroundings and daily life. Altman calls it “the coolest piece of technology that the world will have ever seen.” Early demos hint at an always-listening AI companion—one that surfaces insights, manages tasks, and blends into your workspace without demanding your constant attention.
Lessons from Past Failures
Analysts warn the duo faces steep challenges: Humane’s AI “pin” and Rabbit R1 devices flopped under the weight of over-hyped promises. Forrester’s Martha Bennett notes that winning users away from screen-based gadgets will require truly standout features. Ive himself has criticized those small devices as “very poor products,” signaling he’s determined to learn from their missteps.
Scaling to a Billion Users
According to reports, OpenAI plans to build 100 million AI “companions” for everyday life. With Ive’s LoveFrom studio now overseeing creative and design strategy, the goal is to blend elegant hardware with powerful AI software—bootstrapping OpenAI’s software prowess into a major platform company. Expect a full reveal and rollout next year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What is the mysterious AI device?
A sleek, non-phone gadget designed by Jony Ive and powered by OpenAI’s AI. It’s meant to sit on your desk and serve as a constant, context-aware assistant.
Q2: When will it be available?
Ive and Altman say the first models will emerge next year, following engineering prototypes and testing phases throughout 2025.
Q3: How does it differ from past AI gadgets?
Unlike single-purpose wearables, this device aims for seamless integration—combining ambient awareness, powerful language AI, and Ive’s signature minimalist design to stand out from earlier failed attempts.
Sources The Guardian
