OpenAI’s first hardware product may not be a screenless AI companion or a wearable pin after all. According to a Chinese tipster on Weibo, the company is now preparing to launch a pair of AI-powered earbuds as its debut device.
The report claims the earbuds will run on OpenAI’s own AI models and could be called “Dime.”
OpenAI Shifts From Experimental Devices to Simpler Hardware
Earlier reports suggested OpenAI was working on more unconventional hardware concepts, including a small pendant or pen-like device. These ideas aligned with comments from OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, who previously described the company’s hardware ambitions as “more peaceful and calm” than smartphones.
The strategy gained more attention after OpenAI began collaborating with former Apple design chief Jony Ive and his design firm LoveFrom around 2024. The goal was to create “AI-first” devices that reduce screen time and feel more intuitive than today’s phones.
In May 2025, OpenAI acquired Ive’s startup IO in a $6.5 billion stock deal. The acquisition brought key team members into OpenAI, while LoveFrom remained independent.
However, the new leak suggests OpenAI has scaled back its initial hardware ambitions. Rising hardware costs are reportedly one of the reasons behind the shift. Instead of launching an entirely new form factor, the company may be opting for AI-powered earbuds, a category that already has established supply chains and consumer demand.
What We Know About the “Dime” AI Earbuds
Details remain limited. The Weibo tipster claims the earbuds will be powered by OpenAI’s own AI model and could be branded as “Dime.” The product is expected to launch before the end of the year.
The report also mentions that OpenAI plans to introduce a more advanced version once the high-bandwidth memory (HBM) shortage improves. HBM is critical for AI processing, especially in devices that rely heavily on on-device or edge AI capabilities.
IF the claims turn out to be true, this suggests the first-generation earbuds may rely more on cloud-based AI, with future models integrating more advanced on-device processing.
A Strategic Entry Into Consumer Hardware
If OpenAI does launch AI-powered earbuds as its first hardware product, it would mark a more practical entry into consumer electronics. Since the category is already mature.
However, OpenAI’s differentiation would likely come from deeper AI integration powered by its proprietary models. That could turn earbuds into persistent AI companions rather than simple audio accessories.
For now, the information remains based on a single tipster report, and OpenAI has not officially confirmed the product. But if the launch happens as expected later this year, it would signal the company’s first concrete step beyond software and into AI-driven consumer hardware.
