On February 20, 2026, new reports confirmed that OpenAI has scaled its hardware division to over 200 employees, many of whom were poached directly from Apple’s design and engineering teams.
This “dream team” is tasked with building a new family of AI-native consumer devices, spearheaded by legendary designer Jony Ive and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman.
The First Device: A “Proactive” Smart Speaker
The flagship product from this team is a premium smart speaker, currently slated for release in February 2027. Unlike traditional speakers, this device is designed to be an “active participant” in the home.+1
- Embedded Vision: It features a built-in camera that allows the AI to “see” its surroundings, identify objects, and understand the context of what is happening in the room.
- Face ID for Purchases: The device will utilize Apple-style facial recognition to identify users and authenticate secure purchases directly via voice.
- Proactive Logic: During internal presentations, employees saw the speaker suggest actions based on the user’s schedule—such as suggesting an early bedtime if it “sees” you are up late before a 7 AM meeting.
- Price Point: Expected to retail between $200 and $300 (roughly ₹17,000–₹25,000).
The “Apple Exodus” Talent Pool
OpenAI’s hardware push is being fueled by a massive talent migration from Cupertino. The 200-person team includes some of the most influential names in modern hardware history:
| Name | Former Apple Role | OpenAI / LoveFrom Role |
| Jony Ive | Chief Design Officer | Final Design Oversight (via LoveFrom) |
| Tang Tan | Head of iPhone & Apple Watch Design | Lead System Engineering |
| Evans Hankey | VP of Industrial Design | Industrial Design Lead |
| Scott Cannon | Supply Chain Expert | Hardware Operations |
| Adam Cue | (Son of Eddy Cue) | Software Integration |
The $6.5 Billion “io” Acquisition
The foundation for this team was laid in May 2025, when OpenAI acquired io Products, a startup co-founded by Altman and Ive, for $6.5 billion.
- Structure: While LoveFrom (Ive’s independent firm) handles the “aesthetics and feel,” OpenAI’s internal 200-person team manages the actual engineering, silicon, and software integration.
- Culture Clash: Recent reports from The Information suggest minor “internal tension” between OpenAI’s fast-moving software engineers and LoveFrom’s famously secretive and methodical design process.
Beyond the Speaker: The 2028 Roadmap
The smart speaker is just the first step in a broader hardware ecosystem intended to reduce our reliance on traditional screens:
- Smart Lamp: A prototype already exists; it is designed to use light and ambient AI to assist with focus and wellness.
- Smart Glasses: Targeted for 2028, these will compete directly with Meta’s Ray-Bans and Apple’s rumored “Lite” wearables.
- Earbuds: Early reports suggest a “voice-first” wearable companion is also in the early R&D phase.
“It’s the coolest piece of technology that the world will have ever seen.” — Sam Altman, speaking to employees about the secret hardware project.
