iPhone creator and 长沙USDT付款网关OpenAI head team up on a revolutionary AI device

April 9, 2025  16:35

Jony Ive, the legendary Apple designer who birthed the iPhone, and Sam Altman, the mastermind behind OpenAI and ChatGPT, are joining forces to craft a portable artificial intelligence device. According to 9to5Mac, citing insider sources, this project—driven through Ive’s design firm LoveFrom and a new startup, io Products—aims to be more than just a gadget. It could herald a personal AI companion poised to redefine our relationship with technology.

What Do We Know About the Project?

While Apple pushes forward with Vision Pro 2, Ive—who left the company in 2025—and Altman are quietly working on a device that might transcend traditional categories. Per 9to5Mac, it’s still in early development, yet it’s already generating buzz. OpenAI is reportedly eyeing a $500 million acquisition of io Products, underscoring the project’s promise.

Details remain shrouded, but one thing is certain: this isn’t another smartphone. Insiders hint at possibilities ranging from a screenless mobile device to an AI-powered home assistant. Ive and Altman seem intent on creating something entirely new—perhaps a replacement for phones, which Ive has critiqued as overly intrusive. Back in 2025, he argued tech should be less distracting, and this venture might embody that ethos.

Why This Isn’t Just Hype

This collaboration is no fluke. The Financial Timesreported in September 2025 that Ive and Altman were in talks with SoftBank’s Masayoshi Son, who’s ready to pour up to $1 billion into what’s been dubbed the “iPhone of AI.” Adding heft, Tang Tan—ex-Apple VP of iPhone and Apple Watch design—has joined the team. LoveFrom handles aesthetics and ergonomics, while OpenAI supplies the brains, likely leveraging cutting-edge models like GPT.

OpenAI’s interest in snapping up io Products signals strategic ambition. The $500 million price tag is just the start—Altman and Ive are courting investors like Thrive Capital and Laurene Powell Jobs’ Emerson Collective to hit a $1 billion funding goal. This isn’t merely a device; it’s a bid to rethink how we interact with tech.

What Might It Look Like?

Concrete specifics are scarce, but speculation paints an enticing picture. Altman, an investor in Humane AI (makers of the screenless AI Pin), leans toward minimalist solutions. The device could be a voice-driven companion with projected interfaces or tactile controls, sidestepping traditional screens. Ive, a maestro of form and function, would likely make it sleek and intuitive—echoing the first iPhone’s magic.

Alternatively, it might evolve into a home hub, orchestrating smart devices via AI. Either way, the focus seems to be seamless, natural interaction—free of the relentless notifications and scrolling Ive has lamented.

Why It Matters

Smartphones have ruled for nearly two decades, but their reign may be waning. Devices like the Humane AI Pin and Rabbit r1 have tried—and so far failed—to offer viable alternatives. With Ive’s design genius and Altman’s AI expertise, this project has the firepower to break through. If Apple’s Vision Pro 2 bets on mixed reality, io Products’ AI device could kick off an era of personalized intelligence—tech that works quietly but brilliantly in the background.

When Can We Expect It?

Given its early stage and the hunt for funding, a launch before late 2026 seems unlikely. That said, prototypes or an announcement could drop as early as 2025—especially if OpenAI’s acquisition accelerates things. With Vision Pro 2 also slated for late 2025, next year could be a blockbuster for tech innovation.

The Takeaway

Jony Ive and Sam Altman form a duo with the clout to shake up the game. Their portable AI device isn’t just another gadget—it’s a challenge to the status quo. Whether it’s a screenless companion or a home assistant, it’s poised to outsmart smartphones, not just supplement them. The world’s holding its breath, and in a few years, we might witness a device as iconic as the original iPhone—only smarter and more human-centric.