Jony Ive and Sam Altman Redefine AI Hardware Beyond Glasses

The AI hardware landscape is undergoing a fascinating transformation, marked by experimentation and uncertainty. Recently, OpenAI's CEO Sam Altman and design legend Jony Ive made waves by revealing their collaboration on a mysterious AI device that challenges the prevailing focus on smart glasses.

At Google's I/O event, smart glasses were showcased as the next frontier for AI hardware, with partnerships aiming to bring AI directly into eyewear. However, Altman and Ive’s approach diverges sharply—they are not betting on glasses or traditional wearables.

Instead, their prototype is described as a screenless, portable device that fits in your pocket or sits elegantly on your desk. It’s envisioned as a “third core” gadget, complementing phones and laptops rather than replacing them. This device could redefine how we interact with AI daily.

The AI hardware sector is currently in what some call the “spaghetti era,” where companies throw diverse ideas at the wall to see what sticks. From smart glasses to AI pins and body cams, the market is searching for the ideal form factor that balances functionality, usability, and consumer appeal.

Common features across AI gadgets include cameras, microphones, speakers, batteries, internet connectivity, and portability to enable multimodal AI experiences. Yet, the debate continues on whether users want displays integrated into these devices.

Altman and Ive’s prototype reportedly resembles a compact, elegant device slightly larger than existing AI pins, possibly wearable as a necklace or pocket gadget. This design hints at an always-listening, smart body cam that blends utility with style.

While details remain scarce and the launch is projected for 2026 or 2027, the intrigue itself serves a strategic purpose—building anticipation and challenging competitors to rethink the future of AI hardware beyond the obvious.

This moment is reminiscent of the early days of mobile computing, where the right device could revolutionize how we live and work. Could Ive and Altman’s creation be the next iPhone moment for AI? Only time will tell, but the possibilities are thrilling.