OpenAI has officially set the stage for its most ambitious expansion yet, confirming a late 2026 launch window for its first-ever consumer hardware device. In a breaking development from the World Economic Forum in Davos, OpenAI executives revealed that the highly anticipated project—spearheaded by legendary designer Jony Ive—is on track for a global unveiling in the second half of this year. This announcement marks a pivotal moment in the evolution of artificial intelligence, signaling a move away from traditional screens toward a new era of intuitive, voice-first computing.
Breaking News from Davos 2026
The confirmation came directly from Chris Lehane, OpenAI’s Chief Global Affairs Officer, during a panel discussion at Axios House Davos on Tuesday. Addressing swirling rumors about the secretive collaboration between OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and former Apple design chief Jony Ive, Lehane stated that the company is “looking at something in the latter part” of 2026 for the device’s debut.
While Lehane stopped short of providing a specific release date, his comments offer the most concrete timeline to date for the project, which has been shrouded in mystery since its inception. “We will see how things advance,” Lehane noted, cautiously managing expectations while affirming that development is progressing rapidly. This revelation has sent shockwaves through the tech industry, which has been eagerly awaiting the fruits of the partnership since OpenAI’s aggressive move into hardware last year.
A Screen-Less AI Companion
Unlike the rectangular, app-centric smartphones that have dominated the last two decades, the upcoming device is expected to be a radical departure in form and function. Insider reports and leaked details describe a screen-less AI companion that relies almost entirely on advanced voice interaction and context-aware computing. The goal is to create a technology experience that is less intrusive and more “peaceful,” a term Altman has used to describe the device’s intended vibe.
The device aims to liberate users from the constant distraction of notifications and blue light. By leveraging OpenAI’s next-generation multimodal models, the hardware will likely understand complex verbal commands, perceive its surroundings, and execute tasks without the user needing to look at a display. This aligns with Jony Ive’s long-standing design philosophy of technology that fades into the background, becoming an invisible but powerful enabler of human creativity.
The Legacy of the "io Products" Acquisition
The foundation for this device was solidified in May 2025, when OpenAI acquired io Products, a hardware startup incubated by Ive’s design firm, LoveFrom. The $6.5 billion all-stock deal was a watershed moment, integrating a team of over 50 top-tier engineers and designers—many of them Apple veterans—directly into OpenAI’s structure.
This acquisition brought critical talent under one roof, including key figures who worked on the original iPhone and Apple Watch. While LoveFrom remains an independent creative entity, the OpenAI io Products acquisition ensured that the AI giant possesses the in-house manufacturing and engineering muscle required to ship a consumer product at scale. The device currently in development is the direct result of this high-stakes merger between Silicon Valley’s leading AI researchers and its most celebrated product designers.
The Dream Team Behind the Device
The collaborative force driving this project is undeniably formidable. Sam Altman and Jony Ive have assembled a “dream team” of hardware and software experts to ensure the device lives up to the hype. Among the notable leaders is Caitlin Kalinowski, formerly of Meta’s AR division, who joined OpenAI to lead robotics and consumer hardware initiatives. Her expertise in miniaturization and wearable tech is seen as crucial for a device that needs to be unobtrusive yet powerful.
Adding to the bench strength is Janum Trivedi, a former Apple interface designer credited with building core interactions for iPadOS. His involvement suggests that while the device may lack a screen, its interaction model—likely gesture and voice-based—will be sophisticated and fluid. The team is reportedly focused on overcoming the latency issues that plagued earlier AI gadgets, ensuring that conversations with the device feel as natural and instantaneous as speaking to a human.
The Future of AI Devices
The launch of this device represents a significant gamble on the future of AI devices. Previous attempts by other companies to launch AI pins and standalone assistants struggled with performance issues and limited utility. However, OpenAI is betting that its superior underlying models, combined with Ive’s unmatched product instincts, will succeed where others have faltered.
If successful, the Sam Altman Jony Ive device could define a new category of personal computing, one where the operating system is not a visual interface but an intelligent, ambient presence. As the tech world watches Davos 2026 technology trends, all eyes are now fixed on late 2026. The promise is not just a new gadget, but a fundamental shift in our relationship with machines—turning technology from a tool that demands our attention into a companion that understands our intent.
