OpenAI's mysterious ChatGPT gadget could take the form of an AI-powered pen

A smart pen codenamed "Gumdrop" could be the first physical device to emerge from OpenAI's secretive hardware collaboration with former Apple design chief Jony Ive. According to industry tipster Smart Pikachu, the AI-powered writing instrument is one of three concepts currently under consideration, complete with always-on listening capabilities that would let ChatGPT analyze your handwritten notes and voice recordings in real time.

The project has reportedly shifted from manufacturer Luxshare to Foxconn after disputes over production locations. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman previously described the eventual device as something that should feel like a "cabin by a lake" — suggesting a deliberately calming alternative to the constant buzz of smartphones.

This represents OpenAI's ambitious leap into hardware, following the lukewarm reception of standalone AI devices like the Humane AI Pin and Rabbit R1. Other rumored concepts include a wearable pin and smart speaker, though it remains unclear how many will actually reach consumers in a market where AI assistants are increasingly integrated into existing devices rather than sold as separate gadgets.