OpenAI would be reorienting its strategy in the consumer hardware market, choosing to launch simpler wireless headphones first and leaving the development of an advanced device with artificial intelligence functions for later.
This is indicated by a recent leak that suggests that the company will prioritize an accessible product, postponing its most ambitious bet due to high costs and a shortage of key components.
According to information published on the social network X by a well-known leaker, OpenAI has recently registered a patent in China related to its first physical device for consumers.The registration would confirm the commercial name and anticipates a possible launch in the short term.
However, the most relevant aspect is the change of plans: the company has reportedly decided to postpone the launch of its most advanced model, originally described as a “phone-like” device with complex internal hardware and local computing capabilities for artificial intelligence.
The current approach would be to first introduce traditional wireless headphones, focused exclusively on audio functions.This product would seek to compete in the market with other smart headphones, but without the advanced AI features that distinguished the initial project.
The most ambitious model, equipped with greater computing capacity and advanced functions, is reserved for a second phase, when the context of prices and availability of memory and chips is more favorable.
According to the leak, OpenAI’s decision would be motivated by the increase in memory costs and other essential components.The difficulties in accessing chips at reasonable prices have raised the cost of manufacturing the advanced device to levels comparable to those of a high-end smartphone, which has led the company to reconsider its roadmap.
The initial version of the headset would be positioned as a mainstream and accessible product, allowing OpenAI to cautiously enter the competitive consumer hardware segment.
The company plans to reserve the launch of the most powerful model for the future, when technological market conditions allow it to offer an advanced product at a more competitive cost.
If the information is confirmed, OpenAI’s entry into the hardware sector will occur through a staggered launch: first with simple headphones, and later with a device capable of executing artificial intelligence functions locally.
This strategy would allow the company to adapt to market conditions and build a user base before betting on its most innovative technology.
Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, announced the development of a new artificial intelligence device that, according to his vision, could be as transformative as the iPhone was at the time.
The project has the collaboration of Jony Ive, former head of design at Apple and responsible for iconic products such as the iPod, iPhone and iPad.Altman announced that the first prototypes are already finished and he expects the product to reach the market in less than two years.
During the Emerson Collective Demo Day, Altman explained that the purpose of this new device – still without an official name – is to break with the trend of current gadgets, dominated by excess stimuli and distractions.
The manager described the user experience as “radically different” from traditional smartphones, going so far as to describe it as an “anti-iPhone.”Although he did not give details about the design or whether it will have a screen, he assured that the simplicity of the prototypes has surprised those who have seen them.
The addition of Jony Ive reinforces the commitment to minimalist design and an intuitive experience.After purchasing the startup io, Ive joined the project, contributing the philosophy of simplicity that defined Apple products.Ive himself has indicated his preference for solutions that appear simple but contain deep conceptual sophistication.
