In a revelation that’s already stirring waves across the tech world and beyond, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has outlined his vision for a future, reportedly packed with 100 million pocket-sized, screen-free AI companions—smart devices designed to intimately understand, anticipate, and possibly even shadow their users’ daily lives. The concept is so radical, so eerily futuristic, it sounds like something straight out of Black Mirror. But this isn’t science fiction—it’s happening, and Altman is deadly serious.
The Minds Behind the Machine
Teaming up with legendary Apple designer Jony Ive, the man responsible for the sleek elegance of the iPhone and MacBook, Altman is engineering what he calls the “third core” tech product—something that belongs on your desk right next to your iPhone and MacBook. This isn’t just another gadget. It’s a revolution in personal computing.
Described as screen-free and contextually aware as per reports, the mysterious device will tune itself to its environment, picking up on subtle cues and learning how to be the most helpful, seamless digital assistant you’ve ever encountered. It won’t be something you scroll through or tap—it will simply know.
‘Unprecedented Scale’: Shipping 100 Million Units
Altman isn't thinking small. According to a leaked internal call, he’s instructed his team to prepare for the fastest rollout of 100 million devices ever attempted. With backing from a $6.5 billion plan to acquire Ive’s design company, io, OpenAI is positioning itself to enter the trillion-dollar club. The ambition? Not just to innovate, but to dominate.
And while we don’t yet know if the device will record conversations or monitor behavior in real-time, what’s clear is that Altman and Ive believe traditional screen-based interaction is on its way out. Their goal? To wean people off screens entirely and transition them to a new form of ambient, invisible computing.
A Future Shrouded in Mystery—and Hype
Expected to launch by late 2026, the device remains cloaked in secrecy. Even its core functions are under wraps, protected against competitive espionage. But the hype is undeniable. In a previous New York Times profile, it was suggested that generative AI might finally be powerful enough to justify an entirely new category of hardware—one that redefines our relationship with technology.
Altman’s promise? That this AI companion will ship faster than any tech innovation of its kind—an audacious claim, but one in line with OpenAI’s recent aggressive pace.
The Minds Behind the Machine
Teaming up with legendary Apple designer Jony Ive, the man responsible for the sleek elegance of the iPhone and MacBook, Altman is engineering what he calls the “third core” tech product—something that belongs on your desk right next to your iPhone and MacBook. This isn’t just another gadget. It’s a revolution in personal computing.
Described as screen-free and contextually aware as per reports, the mysterious device will tune itself to its environment, picking up on subtle cues and learning how to be the most helpful, seamless digital assistant you’ve ever encountered. It won’t be something you scroll through or tap—it will simply know.
“A tiny reasoning model, trillions of tokens, that has heard every conversation you’ve ever had”
— AI Breakfast (@AiBreakfast) May 19, 2025
Are Sam and Jony Ive building an omnipresent wearable listening and vision device?
Here’s Altman on Building the ‘Core AI Subscription’ for Your Life: pic.twitter.com/NQi6Y7Yg1g
‘Unprecedented Scale’: Shipping 100 Million Units
Altman isn't thinking small. According to a leaked internal call, he’s instructed his team to prepare for the fastest rollout of 100 million devices ever attempted. With backing from a $6.5 billion plan to acquire Ive’s design company, io, OpenAI is positioning itself to enter the trillion-dollar club. The ambition? Not just to innovate, but to dominate.
And while we don’t yet know if the device will record conversations or monitor behavior in real-time, what’s clear is that Altman and Ive believe traditional screen-based interaction is on its way out. Their goal? To wean people off screens entirely and transition them to a new form of ambient, invisible computing.
Sam Altman will pay Jony Ive $6.5B for designs of secret AI “companions,” start shipping in 18 months “faster than any company shipped 100 million of something new.” Maybe a world-changer. Or maybe a Segway—said by Silicon Valley in 2000 2 years pre-launch to be a world-changer. pic.twitter.com/zBt6sxYEP0
— Kurt Andersen (@KBAndersen) May 22, 2025
A Future Shrouded in Mystery—and Hype
Expected to launch by late 2026, the device remains cloaked in secrecy. Even its core functions are under wraps, protected against competitive espionage. But the hype is undeniable. In a previous New York Times profile, it was suggested that generative AI might finally be powerful enough to justify an entirely new category of hardware—one that redefines our relationship with technology.
Altman’s promise? That this AI companion will ship faster than any tech innovation of its kind—an audacious claim, but one in line with OpenAI’s recent aggressive pace.
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