OpenAI just acquired io, an AI hardware startup founded by Jony Ive. Now, OpenAI has access to a talented group of former Apple designers. Their goal is to create an AI-powered gadget that, as OpenAI's Sam Altman puts it, will become the fastest device to sell 100 million units in history. That's an interesting pitch, isn't it?

Altman and Ive clarified that this device won't be a smartphone or a wearable - no watch, earphones, or visor - and it won't have a screen. They're aiming to create a new category of consumer tech device. If you've heard this concept before, you might remember Rabbit's R1 and Humane's AI Pin, which tried and unfortunately failed.

Interestingly, Humane, like io, was founded by former Apple designers as well.

I'm not betting against Jony Ive in terms of design, nor am I doubting the abilities of those former Apple designers. After all, most of the iconic Apple products were designed by Ive, and his team, with Steve Jobs. Of course, there were also some misses ("You are holding it wrong", Apple Magic Mouse charge port, to name two), even after Jobs. Design is one thing, but execution, especially in hardware, is more complex.

Now, let's imagine what a new AI-powered consumer device, powered by ChatGPT in this case, would need. Since OpenAI collaborated with Humane previously , it's likely to have the same feature set, excluding the laser projection display. I'm confident that the new device will have a similar function (and perhaps even more) but in a superior form, regardless of what Ive has said about the AI Pin.

There are a bunch of questions about this gadget, like: (1) how will it know what's going on around you? Are the camera and microphone always on, recording, and sending it to OpenAI? (2) how long will the battery last? (3) how will it get your personal data and how will your privacy, the user, and those around you be protected? (4) will it need another mobile data subscription or will it depend on the smartphone, which it's supposed to replace, for internet connection? (5) how much will the device cost? subscription? These are just a few of the questions that OpenAI needs to answer. And oh, will these features be unique to the device and can't be done on the smartphone?

OpenAi is currently operating at a financial loss, as noted by Edward Zitron . While this may raise concerns, it's not uncommon for innovative companies to prioritize growth and development over immediate profitability. Investors remain optimistic about OpenAI's potential, and Sam Altaman's leadership continues to inspire confidence in its future success.

It's not easy to replace the smartphone - whether it's an iPhone or an Android phone. This isn't to say that it won't be around forever, but I don't think it will be replaced quickly, as what Altman is planning, but gradually, over time, and no, it won't be because of the hyped-up generative AI technology, like OpenAI's.