OpenAI has made significant strides in the software field, and its hardware strategy is now becoming clear. According to recent reports, its highly anticipated first AI hardware device has been named "Dime" (meaning 10 cents). The product form is not a smartphone as previously rumored, but rather an AI smart earphone similar to Apple AirPods.

Strategic shift: Focus on the audio wearable market.

It is reported that OpenAI had previously considered a more revolutionary "mobile phone-like" architecture, aiming to create a mobile device with independent computing power and extremely luxurious internal components. However, due to the current global supply chain environment, especially the continuous shortage of storage chips, which has caused component costs to skyrocket, the commercial return risk of developing high-performance mobile devices has become too high. Therefore, OpenAI adjusted its strategy, deciding to take a "from easy to difficult" approach, prioritizing the launch of a relatively simple function and more traditional form Dime smart earphones.

Entering the hardware market with low barriers, aiming to accumulate user data.

This strategic turnaround reflects OpenAI's practical expansion logic. Compared to expensive independent computing devices, the earphone form has a lower hardware barrier, which is more helpful for OpenAI to quickly establish itself in the consumer electronics market and collect massive real interaction data, laying the foundation for future more complex hardware iterations.

Release schedule: To be determined in 2026.

Currently, the basic version of the AI earphones codenamed Dime has preliminarily confirmed its release plan, and it is expected to be officially launched as early as 2026. Although the hardware configuration may become more rational, thanks to OpenAI's deep accumulation in the field of audio AI models, the product's performance in voice interaction and intelligent experience is still worth expecting.

From the ambition of self-developed chips to the current practical earphone solution, OpenAI is seeking a balance between reality and ideals. Whether Dime can become the "AirPods" of the AI era remains to be seen.