Sam Altman and Jony Ive are creating an AI gadget without a screen: when will it be released?

According to the creators, the project has already moved from concept to real prototype, and the gadget could be launched in less than two years, writes Hypebeast.

The main idea of ​​the gadget: it is not a smartphone or a traditional gadget with a screen, but a compact, screen-free AI companion that contextually understands the environment and the user, reacts to the situation, and provides information only when needed.

Size and design: the device can be compared in size to a pocket device and should look as simple and aesthetic as possible — this is the approach Ive emphasizes.

This AI assistant will likely be based on generative AI technologies, equipped with sensors that allow it to «sense» context, rather than just execute voice commands or display text or images.

The head of OpenAI has repeatedly described this development as an attempt to move away from the «noise of smartphones» in favor of a calmer, more natural way of interacting — less burden from constant notifications and more «focus.»

Although an exact release date has not yet been announced, comments from the team suggest that the device could arrive by the end of 2026 or early 2027.

This project could be one of the first dedicated AI devices of a new generation—not just software, but a proprietary hardware solution optimized for AI. If successful, it could usher in a new category of technology alongside smartphones and PCs.

Ive’s involvement adds a special touch to the project: the designer behind the iPhone, iPod, and other iconic Apple products is taking on the design and interaction — a rare case where an Apple designer is involved in hardware development at a third-party AI startup. Built In