Jony Ive, designer and previous chief design officer of Apple is reportedly working with OpenAI CEO Sam Altman to create a screenless AI device, among other AI products. The device is being produced under an AI hardware startup company founded by Altman and Ive, dubbed as io Products. The company is also reportedly in the process of being acquired by OpenAI in a deal worth around US$500 million (~RM2.2 billion).
According to The Information, sources with direct knowledge of the deal state that Ive is working on creating an AI-powered personal device. The product is still in the early stages of its design, with potential designs including a screenless “phone”, and other AI household items. However, the report also mentions other sources associated with the project as stating that the device is not, in fact, a phone.
While the concept of a screenless phone is, on its own, a potentially innovative idea, the lack of additional details about it or even a confirmation on what the product even is, make it difficult to compare it with existing devices. The alleged product is also being compared to Humane’s AI pin, which was considered too vague and did not meet up to expectations, before the company was bought over by HP.
Besides fully acquiring it, OpenAI has also apparently discussed the idea of a partnership between the company and the Ive-Altman startup. The AI-device is said to be powered by OpenAI’s tech, with two former Apple designers reportedly working on its production as well.
(The Information via Neowin, 9to5Mac)
Manisha Dharmendra contributed to this article.
