Overview

• People familiar with the effort told the Financial Times that development has fallen behind as teams wrestle with core software decisions and infrastructure limits.
• Sources describe a compact, screenless gadget that relies on voice, cameras, and sensors to act as an always-on, context-aware assistant.
• Engineers have yet to settle on the assistant’s tone and behavior, with ongoing work to avoid overtalkative responses while remaining helpful.
• OpenAI is reportedly exploring assembly with Luxshare and other partners, with final production potentially located outside China.
• The push follows OpenAI’s $6.5 billion purchase of Jony Ive’s io and the hiring of ex-Apple and other hardware veterans, even as earlier expectations for a near-term release are now in doubt.