I’m genuinely excited about the possibility of a new device from OpenAI, especially with Sam Altman and Jony Ive involved. The idea of a sleek, thoughtfully designed piece of hardware that seamlessly integrates AI into daily life is undeniably compelling. Jony Ive’s track record with Apple’s design language—minimalist, intuitive, and deeply human-centered—suggests this could be more than just another gadget. It might be something that redefines how we interact with technology. But here’s the thing: despite the buzz, I’m still struggling to see what this device actually does that my phone, laptop, or smart speaker can’t already do—better, more reliably, and without the awkwardness. We’ve already seen attempts at AI-powered wearables, like the AI Pin and the Friend necklace, both of which failed to win over users. The AI Pin, a small clip-on device that could analyze your surroundings and answer questions, was criticized for poor performance, privacy concerns, and a design that felt more like a gimmick than a necessity. The Friend necklace, meant to act as a conversational companion, was met with public backlash—so much so that its subway ads were vandalized. These failures highlight a key challenge: people are skeptical of always-listening, always-responding devices, especially when they feel invasive or unnatural. Then there are more practical tools like the Plaud Note, a compact audio recorder that transcribes meetings and lectures. These are useful, especially for students and professionals, but they don’t feel revolutionary. They’re just better at a task that’s already been handled by apps on our phones for years. I use AI transcription tools all the time, and they work well—so why would I need a new device for the same job? The real question is whether this OpenAI device will do something truly new. Will it be a personal AI assistant that learns your habits, anticipates your needs, and acts on them without being asked? Will it integrate with your environment in a way that feels invisible and intuitive? Or will it just be a smarter, more stylish version of a voice assistant that I already have? I want to believe it’s the former. I want to be surprised. Two years is a long time in tech—enough for breakthroughs in AI, materials, or interface design. Maybe this device will finally make voice interaction feel natural, not awkward. Maybe it will be the first truly personal AI that doesn’t just respond, but understands and helps in ways that feel human. But right now, with so little information, it’s hard to get excited. I’m not against new gadgets—I love them. But I need to see more than a name, a designer, and a vague promise of a “lick test” to be convinced. Until then, I’ll keep my phone in my hand and my voice in my head. I’m hoping, though, that this device will one day make me change my mind.