OpenAI CEO Sam Altman is building anticipation for the company’s much talked about ChatGPT device, teasing not just cutting-edge intelligence but a design so sleek, it demands to be shown off. During a recent dinner with journalists and originally reported by TechCrunch, Altman described the hardware as “so beautiful” that it shouldn’t be hidden under a protective case.
“If you put a case on it,” Altman joked, “I will personally hunt you down.” If that reminds you of the sort of hype that surrounded the original iPhone, that makes sense. Legendary Apple designer Jony Ive is leading the charge for this new gadget. OpenAI announced that it was Jonny Ive's AI hardware company back in May for $6.5 billion, and now we're hearing more about the new device.
What is this mysterious ChatGPT device?
While Altman and OpenAI have kept most of the details under wraps, here’s what we know so far about the AI gadget making headlines:
- It’s not a phone or a pair of smart glasses. Altman calls it a “third core device,” meant to live alongside your laptop and smartphone, but not to replace them.
- It’s small, wearable and screen-free. In an X post earlier this year, respected Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo compared it to an iPod Shuffle with AI; a minimalist, pocketable device designed to sync with your existing tech.
- It’s built for ambient AI. Expect natural language interaction through voice, with always-on intelligence that quietly supports you throughout the day.
- It’s design-first. OpenAI reportedly acquired Jony Ive’s design firm LoveFrom (via io) for $6.5 billion, suggesting this is no experimental side project; it’s a core part of OpenAI’s future.
- It’s designed to scale fast. Altman has reportedly told staff that OpenAI wants to ship 100 million units, aiming for one of the fastest consumer tech rollouts ever.
Why this OpenAI device could change how we use AI
The upcoming ChatGPT device could fundamentally change how we interact with AI by shifting the experience away from screens and toward seamless, ambient assistance.
Its screen-free, voice-first design suggests it’s built to be always on and context-aware, helping you proactively without requiring taps or swipes. Unlike traditional AI tools that live in a browser or an app, this device is meant to live with you; small enough to wear or carry, yet powerful enough to serve as a true companion.
OpenAI’s bold design-first approach, combined with Jony Ive’s aesthetic influence and ambitious production targets, signals that this is a paradigm shift in how AI fits into our daily lives.
Outlook
Sam Altman’s warning against putting a case on the ChatGPT device may be a joke, but the underlying message is clear that OpenAI is betting that beautifully designed hardware could change the way we experience AI entirely.
It marks a potential turning point where our interactions move beyond screens and commands into seamless, ambient experiences woven into how we live, work and connect.
