Sam Altman & Jony Ive Finalize Prototype of Mysterious AI Device—Launch Could Be Just 2 Years Away
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Sam Altman and renowned designer Jony Ive have quietly
completed the prototype of their long-anticipated artificial intelligence
device — a project that has been developing behind closed doors for months. In
a recent conversation, the two hinted that this mysterious gadget might arrive
on the market sooner than expected, possibly within the next two years. Despite
the growing curiosity, neither the OpenAI chief nor the former Apple design
legend has revealed what the device looks like or what role it will play,
keeping the tech world guessing.
A Minimalist Vision: Altman Calls the Device “Simple”
Speaking with Laurene Powell Jobs during Emerson
Collective’s 2025 Demo Day, Altman offered a rare glimpse into the creative
process behind the upcoming AI hardware.
He shared that the team has now locked in the final prototype after months of
exploration and design refinements. Ive reportedly crafted the design language
from the ground up, testing multiple iterations before arriving at something
that both creators felt struck the right balance.
Altman joked that their first prototype lacked the appeal
that makes someone instinctively want to “pick it up and take a bite out of
it.” The second — and current — version, however, finally met their standards.
While Altman repeatedly described the device as “simple,” he
avoided detailing its exact functions, features, or form factor.
Launch Timeline: Could Arrive Sooner Than Expected
During the discussion, Ive was asked whether the device
would take up to five years to reach consumers. His response surprised many:
the release could be much sooner, possibly in under two years.
This aligns with earlier hints from Altman, who has
previously emphasized their intention to build hardware that feels natural,
intuitive, and far less overwhelming than today’s screen-heavy devices.
What We Know So Far About the Mysterious AI Gadget
Although the duo has avoided specifics, past reports paint a
broad picture of what the device might be:
- Roughly
the size of a smartphone
- Operated
through voice, cameras, and microphones rather than traditional screens
- Designed
to sit on a desk or fit in a pocket
- Intended
to complement — not replace — existing devices
- Positioned
as what Altman calls “the third core device” alongside a MacBook Pro and
an iPhone
This minimalist, ambient-AI direction reflects both Ive’s
design philosophy and Altman’s belief that technology should simplify, not
overwhelm.
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