OpenAI and Jony Ive Team Up for Audio Revolution

The AI world might soon hear OpenAI's voice—literally. Sources reveal the ChatGPT creator is secretly developing an audio device codenamed "Sweetpea," aiming squarely at Apple's AirPods dominance.

Design That Turns Heads

Former Apple design chief Jony Ive brings his signature touch to Sweetpea's unconventional form. Imagine holding a smooth metal pebble that splits into two capsule-shaped components—these nestle behind your ears instead of plugging into them. This radical departure from traditional earbuds hints at Ive's first major hardware statement since leaving Apple.

"It feels like holding river stones polished by time," remarked one insider who saw early prototypes. The design reportedly emphasizes comfort for all-day wear while making a visual statement.

Under the Hood: Serious Tech Muscle

Sweetpea isn't just pretty—it's packing smartphone-grade power:

• Next-gen processing: Likely using Samsung's upcoming 2nm Exynos chips
• AI independence: Potential to operate without phone pairing
• Premium materials: Driving higher production costs than typical headphones

Foxconn has already begun production preparations, suggesting confidence in the design despite its complexity.

Aggressive Market Plans

OpenAI plans a full hardware lineup by late 2028, but Sweetpea takes priority:

• Launch window: As early as September this year
• First-year target: 40-50 million units globally
• Price point: Expected to compete with high-end AirPods models

The ambitious production numbers suggest OpenAI sees this as more than a side project—it's betting big on hardware.

Why This Matters Now

The timing couldn't be more strategic. With AI features becoming standard in mobile devices, Sweetpea could position OpenAI directly in consumers' pockets (or rather, on their ears). Its ability to potentially function independently from phones might give it an edge as wearable tech evolves.

The collaboration between Altman's AI expertise and Ive's design vision creates fascinating possibilities. Could this be the device that finally makes AI feel personal rather than abstract?

Key Points:

• Dream team-up: Sam Altman + Jony Ive = potential game-changer for wearable AI audio
• Radical redesign: Pebble-shaped metal body with behind-ear capsules breaks all earbud conventions
• Cutting-edge specs: Smartphone-level processing power packed into wearable form
• Massive ambitions: Targeting up to 50 million units in debut year shows serious market intent