OpenAI eyes earbuds and custom chips to lock you in

OpenAI is reportedly building a massive hardware ecosystem to trap users in its premium AI subscription world. The plan is to create a closed environment that connects GPT-class models with custom processors and several consumer gadgets. This shift into physical products follows a trend where big tech companies use their own hardware to gain more control over how people use their software.

The company is developing high-tech AI earbuds internally known as Sweetpea. These buds will likely use a 2nm Samsung Exynos chip for some local processing while relying heavily on the cloud for the smart stuff. The hardware is rumored to feature a unique metal design with units that sit behind the ear.

Another gadget in the works is Gumdrop, a screenless tool similar in size to an old iPod Shuffle. It is designed to be carried in a pocket or around the neck and uses sensors like cameras and microphones to understand its surroundings. This device will be able to:

• Turn handwriting into digital text and send it to ChatGPT.
• Run specific AI models locally without needing the internet for every task.
• Interact with other similar devices, much like a smartphone.

To power its massive data centers and future gadgets, OpenAI is designing its own AI chips with help from Broadcom. The first custom chip, codenamed Titan, will be built using a 3nm process and is expected to be available by late 2026. By making its own silicon, the firm hopes to stop relying so much on expensive NVIDIA GPUs.