So, the worst kept tech newe in history after what the next Pixel phone looks like, is out: Sam Altman’s OpenAI and Jony Ive’s design firm, LoveFrom are formally combining efforts with a hardware group called “io.” Their stated aim? To “completely reimagine what it means to use a computer”.It’s a bold claim, the kind the tech industry loves to make. We’ve heard variations of it before. And yet, the names involved already gives me reason to believe. OpenAI is undeniably at the forefront of AI development. Jony Ive’s design influence, particularly from his Apple tenure, is significant.
The core premise, according to the announcement, is that our current interfaces – laptops, phones, the whole tap-and-type dance – are inadequate for the powerful AI now at our disposal. Sam Altman described the current process of querying ChatGPT as cumbersome, ending with, “I think this technology deserves something much better.”
On that specific point, I find myself nodding. There’s often a real friction in trying to bridge the gap between what these AI models can theoretically do and the practicalities of interacting with them through existing hardware and software paradigms. The experience can feel disjointed.
The question, then, is what this “something much better” will look like. They speak of a “family of devices,” with the first prototype apparently eliciting high praise internally – Jony Ive reportedly calling it “the best work our team has ever done.”
Naturally, specifics are scarce. The direction seems to be away from traditional screens, perhaps towards something more ambient or integrated into one’s environment. This is where my skepticism usually kicks in. We’ve seen other ventures attempt to create dedicated AI hardware, promising a new era of interaction. The track record isn’t exactly stellar — Humane pin anyone? Devices often end up feeling like solutions in search of a problem, or they simply don’t offer enough utility to justify their existence alongside the already capable (if imperfect) devices we own.
What might make this different? Ive’s involvement is key here. If his design philosophy genuinely permeates the product, it won’t just be about the technology; it will be about the holistic user experience. He spoke about his desire to push humanity forward recently and it did feel like he meant it.
It would need to be intuitive, perhaps even beautiful, but above all, it would need to be useful and respectful of the user’s attention and privacy. These are aspects where new hardware, especially “always-aware” AI devices, often stumbles.
They also talk about shared values and the responsibility that comes with this kind of technological advancement. The desire to “democratize” these tools is a laudable goal. The announcement mentions enabling “anybody to say, hey, I have this idea. Make it happen.” That resonates with the indie spirit, the idea of empowering individuals.
But the gap between such pronouncements and the reality of product development, market pressures, and the complexities of human behaviour is vast.
For me, any new device in this space has to answer some hard questions. I’m not holding my breath for a revolution, but I am curious to see what tangible product, if any, emerges from this. More importantly, whether it will be something that everyday users actually find enhances their lives, rather than just serving the grand visions of its creators. The proof, as they say, will be in the using.
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