The secretive AI hardware device designed by former Apple design chief Jony Ive and set to be launched by ChatGPT maker OpenAI has reportedly been delayed, as the company struggles to solve three fundamental problems. Update: Ive referenced a “family of devices” and said that they had come up with “15-20 really compelling” product ideas – more below … io: Jony Ive’s AI secretive AI hardware device Jony Ive and Sam Altman released a video earlier this year which talked about a new AI hardware device without giving any meaningful details about what it was or how it would work. Trying to figure out what form factor it might take has been an entertaining process. The only new-ish AI hardware form factor that has so far made any sense to me is smart glasses, but Altman has specifically said that io is not a pair of glasses, while both have also made it clear that it’s not a phone. The pair strongly imply it’s a form factor we haven’t yet seen, which would seem to rule out a badge, a smartwatch, a smart ring, or in-ear headphones. OpenAI appeared to be trolling us. Asking ChatGPT to imagine the device always produced a very similar looking image of a pebble-shaped device (above) that gave no real clues. Delayed by three fundamental problems The device is scheduled for launch sometime next year, but a Financial Times report suggests that this may be delayed. People familiar with their plans said OpenAI and Ive had yet to solve critical problems that could delay the device’s release. One rather basic problem is how to give the device the computing power it will need to be useful. A source close to Ive said that “OpenAI is struggling to get enough compute for ChatGPT, let alone an AI device.” Privacy is another big challenge. Unlike smart speakers, which are triggered by a wake word or phrase, the report says that this device is always on. That would mean both cameras and microphones are always active, which obviously poses a huge privacy issue. Finally, the team are said to be struggling with developing a personality for the device. One issue is ensuring the device only chimes in when useful, preventing it from talking too much or not knowing when to finish the conversation — an ongoing issue with ChatGPT. “The concept is that you should have a friend who’s a computer who isn’t your weird AI girlfriend,” said one source. 15-20 compelling product ideas Wired reports both Altman and Ive speaking about the hardware at the OpenAI developer conference. Ive spoke in vague terms about the “family of devices” the pair are currently working to develop, [saying] that his team has generated “15 to 20 really compelling product” ideas […] The devices should “make us happy, and fulfilled, and more peaceful, and less anxious, and less disconnected,” he said. “Hardware is hard. Figuring out new computing form factors is hard,” said Altman in a media briefing earlier in the day. “I think we have a chance to do something amazing, but it will take a while.” Highlighted accessories Image: ChatGPT