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Jony Ive, renowned for his design leadership at Apple, is partnering with OpenAI to develop a groundbreaking, screen-free device. According to reports sourced from an internal OpenAI meeting reviewed by the Wall Street Journal, the project, born from OpenAI’s $6.5 billion acquisition of Ive’s AI hardware venture, io, envisions a pocket-sized device that seamlessly integrates into users’ lives. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman believes this collaboration could substantially boost the company’s valuation.

Scheduled for a potential late 2026 release, the device aims to be a non-intrusive companion, becoming a potential ‘third core device’ alongside mainstays like a MacBook Pro and iPhone. Altman anticipates a swift consumer uptake, suggesting it could reach 100 million units faster than any other novel product in history. Dispelling speculation, this device is not intended to be wearable tech, like eyewear or a phone.

Driven by concerns regarding the pervasive nature of screens and their unintended effects, Ive is reportedly keen on pioneering a screen-free future. The project is being hailed as potentially sparking ‘a new design movement,’ echoing the revolutionary design philosophies Ive championed alongside Steve Jobs at Apple.