Jony Ive, former Apple designer
Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo reports that Jony Ive and OpenAI are developing a neck-worn AI device reminiscent of the iPod Shuffle.
According to TF International Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the AI device is set to begin mass production in 2027. He noted that the prototype is slightly larger than Humane’s (unsuccessful) AI Pin while maintaining the sleekness and compactness of an iPod Shuffle.
This device will not have a display and is designed to be worn around the neck, utilizing cameras and microphones for environmental awareness. It will connect with smartphones and PCs for computational power and display output, aligning with the emerging trend of ambient, screenless AI.
OpenAI Acquires Jony Ive’s Startup to Realize Hardware Vision
Kuo’s update follows the announcement of OpenAI’s acquisition of Ive’s hardware startup, a subsidiary of LoveFrom, valued at approximately $6.5 billion. OpenAI anticipates launching products from this partnership in 2026, with mass production expected the subsequent year.
My industry research indicates the following regarding the new AI hardware device from Jony Ive’s collaboration with OpenAI:
1. Mass production is expected to start in 2027.
2. Assembly and shipping will occur outside China to reduce geopolitical risks, with Vietnam currently the pic.twitter.com/5IELYEjNyV— (Ming-Chi Kuo) (@mingchikuo) May 22, 2025
This collaboration is aimed at integrating Ive’s industrial design expertise into OpenAI’s framework as the company expands from software into physical products.
By opting for manufacturing outside of China, OpenAI and Ive are also signaling a strategic move to mitigate geopolitical risks, echoing Apple’s recent efforts to diversify its production lines.
Implications for Apple and the Future of AI Devices
This initiative marks a significant shift towards what analysts call “physical AI,” where artificial intelligence transitions from screens to wearable, voice-activated, and context-aware devices. While companies like Meta and Google have explored ambient computing, OpenAI has been without a hardware strategy — until now.
For Apple users, this device could emerge as the first genuine alternative to AirPods or Apple Watch, providing passive, on-demand AI assistance. The absence of a screen combined with camera and audio capabilities hints at a future where interactions occur seamlessly, without the need for a phone or display.
This starkly contrasts Apple’s Vision Pro headset and iPhone-centric strategy, potentially pressuring Apple to escalate its own ambient computing initiatives. The comparison to the iPod Shuffle is a nostalgic nod to when Apple transformed music interaction by making the hardware nearly invisible.
OpenAI and Ive seem to be pursuing a similar level of cultural integration for AI. Whether this endeavor will become the next iPhone or turn out to be merely a fleeting AI novelty hinges on implementation, ecosystem development, and public readiness to embrace a new era of wearable intelligence.