Meta and OpenAI bet on AI hardware with digital companions

OpenAI is collaborating with legendary designer Jony Ive on a device currently slated for a February 2027 release. While the project remains under wraps, the company recently debuted 'Dots'—customizable, eye-bearing blobs—at its DevDay. CEO Sam Altman acknowledged that integrating these agents into physical hardware is a reasonable assumption for the company's future roadmap.

Meta is moving at a faster pace, targeting the upcoming holiday shopping season for its 'Muse Charm.' CEO Mark Zuckerberg described the pendant-like device as a keychain equipped with a screen. By featuring the cuddly Muse AI agent, the device leans heavily into the aesthetic of a digital pet, aiming to succeed where previous attempts like the Humane AI Pin and Friend have struggled against significant consumer backlash.