OpenAI aims to ship its first device in 2026, and it could be earbuds (techcrunch.com)

OpenAI is set to announce its first hardware device later this year, with speculation pointing toward a pair of innovative earbuds, codenamed “Sweet Pea.” This comes after the company's acquisition of Jony Ive’s startup, generating significant buzz around the potential for AI-integrated hardware. The earbuds are rumored to be designed for a “peaceful and calm” user experience, operating on a custom-made 2-nanometer processor that allows for local AI processing without relying on cloud services. The significance of this development lies in OpenAI's goal to enhance user interaction with its popular AI assistant, ChatGPT, which currently has nearly a billion weekly users but typically functions through third-party devices. By creating its own hardware, OpenAI could introduce unique features aimed at improving the AI experience while facing the challenge of competing with established players like Apple’s AirPods. Additionally, preliminary reports suggest that OpenAI is considering partnerships in manufacturing, with aims to ship 40 to 50 million units in their first year, indicating a bold move into the consumer tech market and potentially changing how users engage with AI technologies.