Jony Ive & OpenAI's Mystery AI Device: Wearable Assistant, Holographic Interface, or Pure Hype?

The tech community is abuzz with speculation following news of Jony Ive, renowned for his design work at Apple, collaborating with OpenAI on a new hardware venture. The original poster on Hacker News queried what this device might be, especially given hints it could be distinct from a phone and potentially screen-less, sparking a lively discussion about its form, function, and feasibility.

Imagining the Form Factor: Beyond the Screen

Commentators explored various potential designs for an AI-centric, non-phone device:

• Wearable Cameras & Life-Loggers: One user, sfmz, suggested a device akin to a 'life dashcam,' perhaps clipped to the ear, worn as a necklace, or embedded in clothing. They noted the human body offers limited spots for such a device if it needs to face outward, much like how last-mile transport is limited to forward or sideways motion.
• Voice-Controlled Devices: jqpabc123 posited that a screen-less device would heavily rely on voice control, suggesting a watch (though another user, retube, noted Ive and Altman reportedly ruled out glasses, making a watch a more likely candidate for a simple wearable).
• Pin-Like Devices: JohnFen drew parallels to Humane's AI Pin, speculating Ive and OpenAI's product could be a larger, more capable version.
• Futuristic Interfaces: More ambitious ideas included a 'wrap-around flexible display visor' with holographic interaction (keepamovin) and a 'forearm belt/band/strap with a heads-up interactive Hologram' (reify).

Interaction and Functionality

The presumed lack of a traditional screen led many to focus on voice as the primary interaction method. jqpabc123 highlighted the current inadequacy of voice controls in cars, suggesting significant room for improvement with advanced AI. The idea of 'dashcamming your life into the cloud' (sfmz) points towards ambient data capture and AI-powered recall or analysis as potential functionalities.

Skepticism and the Value of Hype

A strong undercurrent of skepticism ran through the discussion. Many questioned whether people would want to carry yet another device or if any new functionality couldn't simply be integrated into existing smartphones.

Several users, including conartist6 and jqpabc123, argued that the 'product' might primarily be hype. conartist6 stated, "Hype is the product... What OpenAI needs to continue to justify its hugely inflated valuation is a continuing stream of hype." This sentiment suggests Ive's involvement is strategic for generating buzz and investor confidence, regardless of the eventual device's market success.

duxup questioned the high cost associated with bringing Ive on board if his contribution is mainly 'attention and a little design sense.'

Broader Tech Critiques

The discussion also touched upon broader dissatisfaction with current technology trends. conartist6 lamented that building tech to genuinely improve people's lives or distribute wealth seems secondary to creating products that 'hoover up incredible amounts of data and/or become obsolete in two years,' favoring wealth centralization.

Ultimately, while the exact nature of Jony Ive and OpenAI's project remains under wraps, the HN community's discussion paints a picture of cautious curiosity mixed with significant doubt about the utility and motives behind creating a new category of AI hardware when smartphones are already so capable. The challenge, as one user implied, is to create something truly revolutionary – perhaps even capable of 'reading your thoughts' – to justify its existence.