At OpenAI’s DevDay 2025, Sam Altman revealed that the company is pushing deeper into hardware, unveiling plans to partner with design icon Jony Ive on a new “family of devices.” The duo emphasized that these products could move beyond conventional form factors like phones and laptops, aiming for technology that feels more natural and emotionally attuned.
Ive shared that his team is exploring 15 to 20 potential device concepts, balancing innovation with restraint. He expressed a desire to address the uneasy relationship many people have with technology today, suggesting that future hardware should be more intuitive and human-centered. Altman echoed the ambition, acknowledging the engineering challenges of new computing paradigms while expressing confidence in the company’s ability to deliver something “amazing.”
While many details remain under wraps, the proposed devices may rely less on screens and more on ambient intelligence—leveraging cameras, microphones, and sensors to interpret context and user intent. The partnership reflects OpenAI’s intent to expand from software into bespoke, AI-infused hardware. The target timeline is around late 2026, though technical and design hurdles remain formidable.
The announcement represents a bold bet: OpenAI is positioning itself not just as a leading AI software provider, but as a full ecosystem maker—capable of designing devices that change how users interact with intelligent machines.
