The OpenAI calm device—a new AI-powered gadget designed by Sam Altman and legendary Apple designer Jony Ive—is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated tech launches of the decade. Though details remain tightly guarded, both leaders say the device will offer a radically different experience from today’s screen-heavy, notification-filled devices. And according to Ive, it may arrive in less than two years.
In a conversation hosted by Laurene Powell Jobs at Emerson Collective’s Demo Day, Altman offered the clearest description yet of the OpenAI calm device, calling it simple, peaceful, and intentionally understated. He believes users will be surprised by how minimalist it looks when they finally see it.
OpenAI calm device aims to reduce digital noise
Altman compared current smartphones and apps to walking through Times Square—overstimulating, noisy, and full of constant interruptions. In contrast, he says the OpenAI calm device is designed to feel like sitting in a quiet lakeside cabin: serene, focused, and free of digital clutter.
The goal is for the device to act as a trusted companion—one that filters unnecessary information, presents insights at the right moment, and builds deep contextual awareness of a user’s life. Rather than grabbing attention, it quietly supports daily tasks.
Hardware shaped by Altman and Ive’s shared philosophy
The device is reportedly “screenless” and pocket-sized, building on Ive’s long-standing belief in products that are both elegant and unobtrusive. He described the ideal gadget as something users want to touch without feeling intimidated—smart enough to be powerful but simple enough to blend into everyday life.
OpenAI’s acquisition of Ive’s design studio, io, earlier this year points to a long-term vision: making AI not just more capable, but more humane, calm, and natural to interact with.
A new category in consumer technology
While major smartphone makers continue to chase brighter screens and louder interfaces, OpenAI and Ive appear to be moving in the opposite direction—toward quiet, intelligence-first computing. If delivered as promised, the device could redefine how people use personal technology in an era dominated by AI.
