OpenAI and Jony Ive are encountering substantial technical and design hurdles in their effort to develop a screen-less, AI-powered device, according to the Financial Times. The project, which began in May when OpenAI acquired io—the startup founded by renowned Apple designer Jony Ive—for $6.5 billion, was initially positioned as a bold step toward creating a new generation of AI-driven personal computing devices. At the time, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman announced that Ive and his team would lead the charge in building “a new generation of AI-powered computers.” Bloomberg had previously reported that the first products from the collaboration were expected to launch in 2026. Now, the FT reveals that the envisioned device is a palm-sized, screen-free gadget capable of interpreting audio and visual cues from the user’s surroundings and responding intelligently to requests. However, the team is facing challenges in refining the device’s core functionality, particularly around its “personality” and how it interacts with users. One major issue is the device’s always-on listening mode. Rather than waiting for a specific verbal trigger, the device is designed to remain continuously attentive to the environment. Yet, the team has struggled to ensure it only activates when truly relevant and knows when to stop speaking—raising concerns about interruptions, privacy, and user frustration. Privacy remains a critical concern, especially given the device’s ability to capture audio and visual data from the user’s physical space. How the system processes and stores this information, and whether it does so locally or in the cloud, is still under debate. Despite the setbacks, OpenAI and Ive remain committed to the vision of a seamless, ambient AI experience. However, the unresolved technical and ethical questions could push back the launch timeline beyond the 2026 target. The project continues to be a high-stakes test of whether AI can be integrated into everyday life in a way that feels intuitive, trustworthy, and unobtrusive.