OpenAI teams with Jony Ive on AI hardware? Here's what Ming-Chi Kuo reveals about the prototype
A new wave of excitement has been stirred in the tech world following reports of a collaboration between former Apple design chief Sir Jony Ive and OpenAI, the artificial intelligence company led by Sam Altman. The partnership centres around a sleek new AI-powered device, currently in the prototype stage, with plans for mass production by 2027.
According to respected industry analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who shared details in a recent post on X, the prototype bears a form factor slightly larger than Humane's Ai Pin, a compact wearable computer that struggled to gain market traction. Despite its size, the device is expected to exhibit the same minimalist elegance as Apple's iconic iPod Shuffle.
Designed for ambient intelligence, the device is said to include cameras and microphones for environmental awareness. This would enable contextual interactions when worn around the neck, without the need for a built-in screen. Instead, it would leverage smartphones and PCs for display and computational power, offering a seamless, interconnected AI experience.
OpenAI and Ive's design firm, known as 'io,' are reportedly aiming to make the device an everyday essential, not a pair of smart glasses, but a compact, intelligent companion that could rest on a desk or be tucked into a pocket. Sam Altman is believed to have already showcased early concepts to OpenAI staff, describing it as a potential "third core device" to accompany a laptop and smartphone.
To circumvent ongoing geopolitical tensions and avoid dependency on Chinese manufacturing, assembly and distribution are expected to take place in Vietnam. This shift aligns with a broader trend among tech companies seeking to diversify their supply chains due to increasing trade restrictions and rising tariffs between China and the United States.
While the project remains in early development and final specifications are yet to be confirmed, industry watchers anticipate that the collaboration between Ive's legendary design sensibilities and OpenAI's artificial intelligence capabilities could set a new standard in personal computing.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Mint
24 minutes ago
- Mint
JSW Steel, Vedanta, Tata Steel and other metal stocks drop up to 2% as Trump doubles tariffs to 50%
Indian metal stocks started June on a sombre note, with the Nifty Metal index declining 1.6% in early trade on Monday, June 2. Fourteen out of fifteen constituents opened in the red, trading with cuts of up to 2%. Lloyds Metals & Energy, JSW Steel, Welspun Corp, Vedanta, Tata Steel and Steel Authority of India emerged as the top laggards. While it's not just metal counters facing selling pressure on Dalal Street today, the red wave swept across the board as global trade tensions resurfaced, triggering risk-off sentiment among investors. US President Donald Trump last week intensified trade tensions, announcing he would double tariffs on steel and aluminum imports and accusing China of violating a prior agreement to ease tariffs. Speaking at a rally in Pennsylvania, Trump said the US would raise steel tariffs from 25% to 50% starting next week while highlighting the partnership between Japan's Nippon Steel and US Steel. Later, taking to his Truth Social account, Trump wrote, 'It is my great honor to raise the tariffs on steel and aluminium from 25% to 50%, effective Wednesday, June 4th. Our steel and aluminum industries are coming back like never before. This will be yet another BIG jolt of great news for our wonderful steel and aluminum workers. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!' The announcement comes amid an ongoing legal battle over the legality of some of Trump's tariff policies. An appeals court has allowed the case to proceed after the Court of International Trade ordered a halt to the taxes. Trump accused China of violating a tariff truce reached in early May—a claim Beijing rejected, countering with accusations of US wrongdoing. China, the world's largest steel producer and exporter, has seen its steel exports to the US decline significantly since the 25% tariff was imposed in 2018. While India's exports of steel and aluminium to the US are limited, the drop in metal stocks occurred amid growing concerns that a potential rise in tariffs could impact global metal demand. A call between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping is expected later this week in a possible effort to ease trade tensions. On the economic front, Chinese factory activity data contracted at a slower pace in May than the month prior, also aiding the selling pressure in metal stocks today. As tariff headlines once again dominate global markets, Asian indices opened in the red on Monday, with the Nifty 50 and Sensex falling nearly 1% in early trade. Rising geopolitical tensions between Ukraine and Russia also pushed investors toward safe-haven assets, leading to a sharp decline in equities. According to Dr VK Vijayakumar, Chief Investment Strategist at Geojit Financial Services, the market structure currently supports a continuation of the ongoing consolidation phase. He noted that global headwinds—particularly renewed tariff concerns—are likely to restrain any breakout rally. However, strong domestic tailwinds may offer support at lower levels. He added that the recent announcement of 50% tariffs on steel and aluminium by President Trump signals ongoing uncertainty in the global trade environment, which may act as a significant headwind for markets. On the domestic front, however, factors such as better-than-expected Q4 GDP growth at 7.4%, improving trends in consumption and capital expenditure, low inflation, and the prospect of continued rate cuts present a solid foundation for sustained economic growth in FY26. The only near-term challenge, he pointed out, is weak earnings growth. If leading indicators begin to reflect a recovery, the market has a strong chance of breaking out of its current range and moving higher. Disclaimer: The views and recommendations given in this article are those of individual analysts. These do not represent the views of Mint. We advise investors to check with certified experts before taking any investment decisions.
Economic Times
28 minutes ago
- Economic Times
China's factory activity contraction eases after trade war truce
iStock The strength of manufacturing in the months ahead is still in question given an uncertain export outlook, and especially as tensions rise again in recent days with Washington. China's factory activity contracted at a slower rate in May after a reprieve in the tariff war with the US unclogged trade flows, even as weak domestic demand continues to weigh on the economy. The official manufacturing purchasing managers' index was 49.5, versus 49 in April, the National Bureau of Statistics said Saturday. That matched the median estimate of economists surveyed by Bloomberg. A reading below 50 indicates contraction. The non-manufacturing measure of activity in construction and services fell to 50.3 from 50.4 in April, the statistics office said. That compares with a forecast of 50.5. The composite index rose to 50.4. The PMI figures are the first official data available each month to provide a snapshot of the health of the Chinese economy. The latest readings capture the initial aftermath of the trade truce, after Beijing and Washington agreed to reduce tariffs for 90 days beginning May strength of manufacturing in the months ahead is still in question given an uncertain export outlook, and especially as tensions rise again in recent days with Washington. Although the US lowered the average rate of tariffs to roughly 40% following talks in Geneva, that level is still enough to reduce American imports from China by around 70% over the medium term, according to estimates from Bloomberg Economics. Even so, the reprieve on tariffs has sent trade between China and the US surging. Analysts surveyed by Bloomberg lifted forecasts for growth and exports this year following the agreement in Geneva, but still expect deflationary pressures to get worse in China, which has already seen economy-wide prices fall for two straight years. Gross domestic product is forecast to expand 4.5% this year, based on a Bloomberg survey conducted in late May, still significantly lower than the around 5% target set by Chinese policy makers. Economists expect exports will grow 1.1% in 2025 versus a year ago, an upgrade from the 1% contraction they expected in April.
Hindustan Times
31 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
China blasts US for its computer chip moves and for threatening student visas
TAIPEI, Taiwan — China blasted the U.S. on Monday over moves it alleged harmed Chinese interests, including issuing AI chip export control guidelines, stopping the sale of chip design software to China, and planning to revoke Chinese student visas. 'These practices seriously violate the consensus' reached during trade discussions in Geneva last month, the Commerce Ministry said in a statement. That referred to a China-U.S. joint statement in which the United States and China agreed to slash their massive recent tariffs, restarting stalled trade between the world's two biggest economies. But last month's de-escalation in President Donald Trump's trade wars did nothing to resolve underlying differences between Beijing and Washington and Monday's statement showed how easily such agreements can lead to further turbulence. The deal lasts 90 days, creating time for U.S. and Chinese negotiators to reach a more substantive agreement. But the pause also leaves tariffs higher than before Trump started ramping them up last month. And businesses and investors must contend with uncertainty about whether the truce will last. U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said the U.S. agreed to drop the 145% tax Trump imposed last month to 30%. China agreed to lower its tariff rate on U.S. goods to 10% from 125%. The Commerce Ministry said China held up its end of the deal, canceling or suspending tariffs and non-tariff measures taken against the U.S. 'reciprocal tariffs' following the agreement. "The United States has unilaterally provoked new economic and trade frictions, exacerbating the uncertainty and instability of bilateral economic and trade relations,' while China has stood by its commitments, the statement said. It also threatened unspecified retaliation, saying China will 'continue to take resolute and forceful measures to safeguard its legitimate rights and interests.' And in response to recent comments by Trump, it said of the U.S.: 'Instead of reflecting on itself, it has turned the tables and unreasonably accused China of violating the consensus, which is seriously contrary to the facts.' Trump stirred further controversy Friday, saying he will no longer be nice with China on trade, declaring in a social media post that the country had broken an agreement with the United States. Hours later, Trump said in the Oval Office that he will speak with Chinese President Xi Jinping and 'hopefully we'll work that out,' while still insisting China had violated the agreement. 'The bad news is that China, perhaps not surprisingly to some, HAS TOTALLY VIOLATED ITS AGREEMENT WITH US,' Trump posted. 'So much for being Mr. NICE GUY!' The Trump administration also stepped up the clash with China in other ways last week, announcing that it would start revoking visas for Chinese students studying in the U.S. U.S. campuses host more than 275,000 students from China. Both countries are in a race to develop advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, with Washington seeking to curb China's access to the most advanced computer chips. China is also seeking to displace the U.S. as the leading power in the Asia-Pacific, including through gaining control over close U.S. partner and leading tech giant Taiwan.
