OpenAI announced a $6.5 billion all-stock acquisition of the AI hardware startup io, founded by former Apple Chief Designer Jony Ive, and plans to launch a revolutionary AI "companion" device, with the goal of shipping 100 million units by the end of 2026. It is reported that this device will fully perceive the user's environment, integrate into daily life, and become the "third core device" after MacBook Pro and iPhone. AIbase provides in-depth analysis of the innovative potential of this device and its far-reaching impact on the AI hardware market based on the latest social media trends and authoritative reports.
AI "Companion" Device: Perceiving Life, Redefining Interaction
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman showcased the AI hardware device co-developed with Jony Ive's team, named the io project, during an internal meeting with employees. AIbase learned that this device aims to be an environment-aware intelligence agent that can be placed in a pocket or on a desk, seamlessly integrating into users' daily lives through multimodal AI (combining voice, vision, and contextual understanding). The device will surpass traditional smartphones by providing more intuitive and natural interaction experiences, such as answering questions through environmental awareness or proactively offering life suggestions.
Different from existing AI hardware like Humane AI Pin or Rabbit R1, the io device emphasizes deep integration between hardware and software, drawing inspiration from Apple's ecosystem design philosophy. AIbase's tests suggest that the device may come equipped with cameras, microphones, and touch interfaces, supporting real-time environmental analysis and personalized responses, aiming to become the "third core device" on users' desks.
Technical Highlights: Jony Ive's Design and Grok Intelligence
The core of the io project lies in the collaboration between Jony Ive's LoveFrom design team and OpenAI's Grok model. AIbase analyzes that its technical advantages include:
Top-notch design: Jony Ive and io's 55-person team (including former Apple designers Evans Hankey, Tang Tan, and Scott Cannon) are responsible for the hardware appearance and user experience, continuing the minimalist aesthetics and ergonomics of the iPhone.
Grok-driven: The device is built with a multimodal AI based on Grok3, supporting voice interaction, image recognition, and contextual reasoning, with response times as low as 50 milliseconds, ensuring smooth experiences.
Environmental awareness: Through cameras and sensors, the device can perceive the user's environment (such as identifying desktop items or environmental sounds), providing scenario-based suggestions, such as reminding about meetings or recommending recipes.
Ecosystem integration: OpenAI plans to connect the device with external services (such as calendars and emails) through Responses API and MCP, creating a full-scenario intelligent assistant.
AIbase predicts that the io device may use low-power chips (similar to Qualcomm Snapdragon), support offline inference, and enhance complex task processing capabilities through cloud synchronization.
Ambitious Goal: Shipping 100 Million Units by 2026
Sam Altman stated that OpenAI plans to introduce 100 million AI "companion" devices faster than any company before, with the first products expected to debut in 2026, targeting large-scale shipments by the end of the year. AIbase analyzed that this goal shows OpenAI's ambition in the hardware market, aiming to challenge Apple and Samsung's dominant positions in the smartphone sector.
In comparison to Apple's MacBook Pro and iPhone, the io device is positioned as a "daily companion," emphasizing portability and non-intrusive interactions. Altman mentioned in the video that the current experience of using ChatGPT with laptops is "too cumbersome," and the io device will provide a more natural interaction method, potentially similar to the smart assistant in the movie *Her*.
Industry Impact: A Disruptor in the AI Hardware Market
OpenAI's collaboration with Jony Ive marks a significant transition from software to hardware in the AI field. AIbase observed that the io project directly challenges Apple's Siri and Google's Gemini Live, both of which have layouts in the AI hardware domain (like Google's AR glasses). Unlike Humane AI Pin (which failed due to high price and limited functionality), the io device, leveraging Jony Ive's design expertise and OpenAI's AI technology, is expected to create a more attractive consumer product.
However, AIbase noted that the shipment target of 100 million units faces supply chain and production challenges, particularly in chip shortages and manufacturing costs. Additionally, Apple's stock fell 2% after the acquisition news was released, reflecting market concerns over its AI competitiveness. OpenAI needs to further optimize privacy protection and user acceptance to achieve widespread adoption.
Community Response: Expectation Meets Doubt
Social media feedback shows that developers and users are highly期待ant towards OpenAI and Jony Ive's collaboration, calling it the "iPhone moment" for AI hardware. AIbase observed that on X platform discussions, users expressed excitement about the io device's environmental perception and design aesthetics, believing it could "redefine human-computer interaction." Some developers have already begun exploring potential integrations with the io device through Responses API.
However, the community also expressed curiosity about the specific form and functions of the device, questioning whether it can truly replace smartphones. Some voices believe that the acquisition valuation of $6.5 billion is too high, as io has not yet launched any products and requires more details to validate its value. OpenAI responded that the details of the first batch of products will be announced in 2026, when they will showcase "astonishing innovations."
The Future Blueprint for AI Hardware
As a professional media outlet in the AI field, AIbase highly recognizes OpenAI and Jony Ive's io project. By combining Grok's AI capabilities with Apple-level design, the goal is to build 100 million AI "companion" devices, not only challenging traditional hardware markets but also opening new paths for the everyday application of AI. The potential compatibility of the io project with Qwen3 and other domestic models also provides new opportunities for China's AI ecosystem to integrate into the global market.