SAN FRANCISCO, January 20, 2026 — OpenAI is developing wireless earbuds as its first consumer hardware product, according to a Bloomberg report citing people familiar with the project.
The device is being designed in collaboration with former Apple designer Jony Ive’s firm LoveFrom and is expected to compete directly with existing AI-integrated earbuds from Google, Samsung, and Amazon.
The earbuds will rely heavily on OpenAI’s voice models to provide conversational AI capabilities, including real-time translation, contextual assistance, and proactive suggestions based on ambient audio cues.
Unlike traditional earbuds focused primarily on audio playback, the product aims to function as an always-on AI companion, potentially reducing dependence on smartphones for basic queries and tasks.
Development is reportedly at an advanced stage, with prototypes featuring custom hardware optimized for low-latency processing of OpenAI’s speech recognition and generation models. The earbuds are expected to include active noise cancellation, spatial audio, and long battery life to support continuous listening and interaction.
The project stems from OpenAI’s broader push into hardware, following CEO Sam Altman’s comments about building “personal superintelligence” devices. Ive, who left Apple in 2019, has been advising OpenAI on hardware design since early 2025, with his team reportedly leading industrial design efforts.
No official launch date, pricing, or detailed specifications have been confirmed. OpenAI has not commented on the report. Bloomberg noted that the earbuds are part of a larger hardware initiative that could include other form factors in the future.
The move would place OpenAI in direct competition with established audio brands and tech giants already offering AI-enhanced earbuds, such as Google’s Pixel Buds Pro with Gemini integration and Samsung’s Galaxy Buds with Bixby and Galaxy AI features.
If launched, the product would represent OpenAI’s first direct consumer hardware offering, shifting from software and API services to end-user devices.
