OpenAI’s first device with designer Jony Ive reportedly faces delays over “technical issues"

OpenAI’s ambitious first step into hardware might hit a snag before it ever reaches consumers. According to a new Financial Times report, the company’s collaboration with legendary designer Jony Ive, best known for shaping some of Apple’s most iconic products, has run into “technical issues” that could delay the device’s release.

Sources close to the project told FT that OpenAI and Ive’s design firm, LoveFrom, are still grappling with how to define the AI’s “voice” and personality. The team reportedly wants the assistant to feel personable but not overly humanized; one insider described the goal as “a friend who’s a computer who isn’t your weird AI girlfriend.” Striking that balance, however, has proven more difficult than anticipated.

Privacy is another major hurdle. The upcoming device is said to rely on continuous environmental awareness, meaning it’s always listening. That design choice has raised internal debate over how to handle sensitive user data, particularly in a climate where consumer trust in AI remains fragile. OpenAI’s leadership is reportedly wary of sparking new privacy controversies as it expands into physical devices.

Budgeting could also become a sticking point. According to the FT report, the device will likely need significant computing resources to function in real time, especially if it’s meant to run advanced AI models locally or with minimal cloud dependence. That level of hardware performance would drive up both production and operational costs, potentially complicating mass-market pricing.

Beyond these challenges, details on what the OpenAI–Ive device actually is remain scarce. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has hinted that it could be pocket-sized, contextually aware, and without a display; think physical AI companion rather than a traditional gadget.

The company has reportedly been exploring ways to make the experience intuitive and personal without it feeling intrusive or overly reliant on screens. If that concept sounds familiar, it’s because other AI-forward devices have tried (and failed) to make it work.

The Humane AI Pin, for example, was recently discontinued after poor sales and underwhelming reviews. However, OpenAI and Ive seem determined to avoid a similar fate by taking their time to refine both the technology and the experience.

For now, the project appears to be in a holding pattern as the two teams iron out these foundational issues. Whether that means the device misses its expected 2026 debut remains to be seen, but it’s clear OpenAI wants its first hardware outing to be more than just a novelty, but instead a product that feels as thoughtfully designed as it is intelligent.