For the third year running, Apple has secured the top of Brand Finance’s Global 500 ranking, with an estimated brand value of $607 billion. Here are the details.

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Apple is working on a small, wearable AI pin equipped with multiple cameras, a speaker, and microphones, reports The Information. If it actually launches, the AI pin will likely run the new Siri chatbot that Apple plans to unveil in iOS 27.


The pin is said to be similar in size to an AirTag, with a thin, flat, circular disc shape. It has an aluminum and glass shell, and two cameras at the front. There is a standard lens and a wide-angle lens that are meant to capture photos and videos, while three microphones are designed to pick up sound around the wearer. An included speaker allows the pin to play audio, and there is a physical control button along one edge. The device is able to wirelessly charge like an Apple Watch.

Apple wants the final version of the pin to be about the same size as an ‌AirTag‌, but it will be slightly thicker. Currently, there is no built-in attachment method, but that could change later in development.

The Information says it is not clear if Apple plans to sell the pin on its own or bundle it with future smart glasses or other devices, but the physical button and built-in cameras, speakers, and microphones suggest that it can operate independently.

AI pins and wearables have not fared well so far, but multiple companies are developing AI wearables. OpenAI is teaming up with Jony Ive for some kind of small AI device that may or may not be wearable, and it has multiple other AI products in the works. Meta has AI glasses, and Amazon has the Bee bracelet. Dozens of other small companies have created small, AI-integrated wearables and devices, which means Apple needs to keep pace.

Apple's AI pin could be released as soon as 2027, but The Information cautions that development is in the early stages and could be canceled.
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While the first few weeks of 2026 have been relatively slow for Apple, things should start to pick up soon. Apple Creator Studio launches next week, and there are a handful of other items on the company's agenda over the next month.


Below, we have listed key Apple dates to watch through February:

• Wednesday, January 28: Apple Creator Studio launches. The all-in-one subscription bundle provides access to the Final Cut Pro, Logic Pro, Pixelmator Pro, Motion, Compressor, and MainStage apps, along with premium content across the Final Cut Pro, Pixelmator Pro, Numbers, Pages, Keynote, and Freeform apps. In the U.S., pricing is set at $12.99 per month or $129 per year.


• Thursday, January 29: Apple will report its earnings results for the first quarter of its 2026 fiscal year, which encompasses the holiday shopping season. Apple updated the iPad Pro, MacBook Pro, and Vision Pro with the M5 chip during the quarter. Apple's CEO Tim Cook and CFO Kevan Parekh will discuss the results on a conference call at 5 p.m. Eastern Time. You can listen live on Apple's website.


• Thursday, February 5: Another four games are coming to Apple Arcade, including Retrocade, an app that lets you play classic arcade games like Asteroids, PAC-MAN, Breakout, Galaga, and Space Invaders. One of the other additions will be an arcade version of the popular PC game Sid Meier's Civilization VII.


• Friday, February 6: Apple will accept submissions for the 2026 Swift Student Challenge from Friday, February 6 through Saturday, February 28. Some of the winners will be invited to spend three days at Apple Park during WWDC 2026 in June.


• Sunday, February 8: Apple Music is the official sponsor of the Super Bowl LX Halftime Show, set to be held on Sunday, February 8. This year's performer is Puerto Rican rapper and singer Bad Bunny.


• Tuesday, February 10: A few years ago, Apple's Home app was rearchitected, and the company will be ending support for the original architecture on this day. If you do not update, Apple warns you might experience issues.


• Tuesday, February 24: Apple will be holding its annual shareholders meeting at 8 a.m. Pacific Time, and it will once again be held virtually. Apple shareholders of record as of January 2, 2026 can vote to re-elect the company's board of directors, ask questions, and more. Apple rarely answers any questions about future plans, so the meetings are often unremarkable from a news perspective.

These are only the dates that we know about, and there could be new product announcements and more over the coming weeks. Stay tuned!
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A new report by The Information claims that Apple has been developing an AirTag-sized wearable that could be released “as early as 2027”. Here are the details.

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Apple plans to turn Siri into a chatbot that will rival Anthropic's Claude, Google's Gemini, and OpenAI's ChatGPT, reports Bloomberg. Apple did not initially plan to introduce a chatbot, but their popularity forced Apple executives to reconsider.


Codenamed Campos, the ‌Siri‌ chatbot will be integrated into iOS 27, iPadOS 27, and macOS 27, replacing the current version of ‌Siri‌. It will have the same natural language conversation functionality as chatbots like ChatGPT, and it will be accessible by using the "‌Siri‌" wake word or by holding down the side button on an iPhone or iPad.

Apple is testing the ‌Siri‌ chatbot as a standalone app, but it won't be offered in app form. Instead, it will be built directly into Apple devices. Apple plans to power the chatbot with a custom model based on Google Gemini.

Apple's chatbot will be able to search the web, generate content like images, help with coding, summarize information, and analyze uploaded files. It will be able to use personal data on a person's device to complete tasks, and it will result in a much improved search feature. Apple is also designing a feature that will let the ‌Siri‌ chatbot view open windows and on-screen content, as well as adjust device features and settings.

‌Siri‌ will integrate into all Apple apps, including Photos, Mail, Messages, Music, and TV, and it will be able to access and analyze content in the apps to respond to queries and requests. There will be voice and type-based interface options.

Apple is considering how much the ‌Siri‌ chatbot will remember. Claude and ChatGPT are able to glean information about users from past conversations for personalization purposes, but Apple may limit ‌Siri‌'s memory for privacy purposes.

The ‌Siri‌ chatbot will be an upgrade to the more personalized version of ‌Siri‌ that Apple plans to roll out in iOS 26.4. With iOS 26.4, Apple will make ‌Siri‌ more capable, implementing the Apple Intelligence features that it initially promised in iOS 18. The much more powerful chatbot version of ‌Siri‌ will follow later in the year, in iOS 27 and its sister updates.

Apple currently plans to unveil ‌Siri‌ chatbot at the Worldwide Developers Conference in June, after which testing of iOS 27 will begin.

The ‌Siri‌ chatbot will be the key new feature in iOS 27, iPadOS 27, and macOS 27, with Apple otherwise focusing on fixing bugs and improving performance.
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Apple reportedly plans to make a major pivot with Siri in iOS 27. According to Mark Gurman at Bloomberg, Apple is developing its first chatbot with a version of Siri that will replace the existing experience.

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Adobe has announced multiple AI-based features that are rolling out to Acrobat and Express, including the ability to create audio podcasts from files. Here are the details.

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Apple hasn't developed an AI chatbot for consumers, but it has been using them internally for some time now. Last year, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman detailed a Veritas chatbot to test the new version of Siri, and now Macworld has shared details on two other AI tools that Apple employees are allegedly using.


Enchanté is apparently a chatbot that rolled out to employees in November 2025, and it is an "internal ChatGPT-like assistant" that Apple workers can use for "ideas, development, proofreading, and even general knowledge answers."

The tool is said to look similar to the ChatGPT app for macOS, and it runs models approved by Apple. It is run locally or on private servers, and it incorporates Apple Foundation Models, Claude, and Gemini. Employees can upload documents, images, and files for analysis, and the app can access files stored on a Mac.

Apple encourages employees to use Enchanté as a test platform and for everyday work tasks, because it incorporates Apple internal documentation and guidelines.

The second AI tool that Apple developed is called Enterprise Assistant, and it is designed to be a knowledge hub for corporate employees. Macworld says that it has a database of Apple internal policies, so workers can ask questions about everything from company conduct guidelines to health insurance benefits.

It's no surprise that Apple is using AI tools internally, and there have been reports about Apple testing different AI features and platforms since 2023. In 2024, for example, Apple tested a ChatGPT-like generative AI tool that allows AppleCare employees to speed up technical support.

Apple hasn't rolled out consumer-facing chatbot features as of yet, but it has tested a Support Assistant in the Apple Support app. The Support Assistant uses natural language to provide users with help solving issues with Apple devices.

Later this year, Apple plans to introduce an overhauled version of ‌Siri‌ that's powered by Google Gemini, and it will also incorporate chatbot features.
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While Apple hasn’t released an AI chatbot to the public, the company does have multiple chatbot-style tools in use among employees.

A new report details Enchanté and Enterprise Assistant, two AI-powered apps used by Apple employees today.

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In addition to updating many of its existing products, Apple is expected to unveil five all-new products this year, including a smart home hub, a Face ID doorbell, a MacBook with an A18 Pro chip, a foldable iPhone, and augmented reality glasses.


Below, we have recapped rumored features for each product.

Smart Home Hub

Apple's long-rumored smart home hub should be released this year, according to rumors. The device was originally expected to be unveiled last year, but the launch was reportedly postponed until the more personalized version of Siri is ready.

The home hub is rumored to feature a 6-inch to 7-inch square display, and an A18 chip for Apple Intelligence support. The device can reportedly be attached to a speaker base, or mounted on a wall, and it would allow users to control smart home accessories, make FaceTime video calls, and more. It might even double as a home security system.

Smart Doorbell

In December 2024, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reported that Apple was in the early stages of developing a smart home doorbell and lock system with Face ID. He said the doorbell would wirelessly connect to a compatible deadbolt lock.

Gurman said Apple's doorbell would launch in 2026 at the earliest, so it could be unveiled this year if that timeframe remains accurate.

Apple would surely tout the privacy and security benefits of its own smart home doorbell. Apple already offers a HomeKit Secure Video service with end-to-end encryption for storing footage in iCloud, and the doorbell could have a Secure Enclave.

The doorbell would be one of several new smart home products that Apple is reportedly planning, with the others being the aforementioned smart home hub, and its own HomeKit-enabled indoor camera. This would add to a lineup of home products that already includes the Apple TV, HomePod, and HomePod mini.

MacBook With A18 Pro Chip

Apple plans to release a lower-priced MacBook with a version of the iPhone 16 Pro's A18 Pro chip this year, according to several reports and leakers. This would be an all-new model positioned below the MacBook Air in the Mac lineup.

Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo was first to reveal that Apple is allegedly planning a more affordable MacBook. Last year, he said the laptop would have around a 13-inch display and come in silver, blue, pink, and yellow finishes. A few rumors have specifically mentioned that it will have a 12.9-inch display.

The lower-cost MacBook could have a lot in common with the discontinued 12-inch MacBook, including an ultra-thin and lightweight design. However, that model was powered by Intel processors. Apple stopped selling the 12-inch MacBook in July 2019, so there has been a long wait for a similar model powered by Apple silicon.

In the iPhone 16 Pro, the A18 Pro chip has a 6-core CPU and a 6-core GPU. The chip's performance is similar to the M1 chip, so this new MacBook could effectively be a replacement for the old MacBook Air with the M1 chip, which Apple still sells through Walmart for $599. The new MacBook would likely start at $699 or $799.

With the A18 Pro chip, the lower-cost MacBook might have only 8GB of RAM, whereas all current MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models start with at least 16GB of RAM. The chip also lacks Thunderbolt support, so the new MacBook would likely be equipped with regular USB-C ports, with slower data transfer speeds and external display limitations.

Foldable iPhone

Following years of rumors, Apple is expected to release its long-awaited foldable iPhone in September, alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max. Like Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 7, the device will open up like a book, providing users with a large screen for watching videos, playing games, and multitasking.

The foldable iPhone will be equipped with a 7.7-inch inner display, and a 5.3-inch outer display, according to the latest report. The device will apparently have a virtually "crease-free" inner display supplied by Samsung.

Kuo expects the foldable iPhone to have two rear cameras, one front camera, and a Touch ID power button instead of Face ID.

This will undoubtedly be Apple's most expensive iPhone ever.

Augmented Reality Glasses

Apple reportedly plans to unveil augmented reality smart glasses as early as this year, although they might not begin arriving to customers until 2027.

Apple's glasses would compete with the Meta Ray-Bans, which now offer an in-lens display.

Apple's first smart glasses will reportedly have speakers for music playback, cameras for photos and video, voice control, and potentially health features, but an in-lens display is not expected until at least the second generation.
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Meta has announced what we all expected: ads are coming to Threads. This follows an initial roll out to select markets last year as part of a test.

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Volvo's new EX60 mid-size electric SUV is set to be the first Volvo vehicle that comes with an Apple Music app pre-installed, Volvo said today. The vehicle will be equipped with ‌Apple Music‌ with Dolby Atmos, providing an immersive Spatial Audio experience.


‌Apple Music‌ will be available as an app accessible through the vehicle's built-in infotainment system, making it available for those who do not use CarPlay. Using the app requires an ‌Apple Music‌ subscription.

Volvo is equipping the EX60 with its HuginCore system that integrates AI and technology developed by Google, Nvidia, and Qualcomm. Gemini is deeply integrated in the vehicle, allowing the car to be controlled with natural language commands.

While the EX60 has deep Google Gemini integration, it continues to support ‌CarPlay‌. Volvo says that Wireless Apple ‌CarPlay‌ comes standard on the EX60, with users able to connect their iPhone to the car's infotainment system to access Apple apps, music, and navigation.

The EX60 also includes digital key plus, so it can be unlocked and turned on with an ‌iPhone‌ or Apple Watch.

Volvo is selling the EX60 in European markets starting now, and US availability will follow in the spring. Orders will be delivered starting in summer.
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Luxshare, a key Apple supplier based in China, has reportedly suffered a major data breach. If legitimate, the cyberattack could include sensitive and confidential information about products from Apple and other major tech companies.

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I have been lucky enough to test a variety of different portable power solutions. There are endless options for different scenarios and different customers. You have high-capacity chargers, ultra-slim magnetic chargers, and I even recently reviewed a MagSafe charger with a built-in fan for heat dissipation. But sometimes the chargers that are the most practical and just work are the ones that are the easiest to recommend. The portable power bank I have used most in the last year is the Anker MagGo with Apple Watch charger. While it’s not the flashiest, it excels at a few things that other chargers just don’t. Let me explain.

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The Apple supplier subject to a major cyberattack last month was China's Luxshare, it has now emerged. More than 1TB of confidential Apple information was reportedly stolen.


It was reported in December that one of Apple's assemblers suffered a significant cyberattack that may have compromised sensitive production-line information and manufacturing data linked to Apple. The specific company targeted, the scope of the breach, and its operational impact were unclear until now.

The attack was first revealed on RansomHub's dark web leak site on December 15, 2025, where the group claimed it had encrypted internal Luxshare systems and exfiltrated large volumes of confidential data belonging to the company and its customers. The attackers warned that the information would be publicly released unless Luxshare contacted them to negotiate, and accused the company of attempting to conceal the incident.

According to the attackers' claims, the exfiltrated material includes vital files such as detailed 3D CAD product models and high-precision geometric files, 2D manufacturing drawings, mechanical component designs, circuit board layouts, and internal engineering PDFs. The group added that the large archives include Apple product data as well as information belonging to Nvidia, LG, Tesla, Geely, and other major clients.

The attackers subsequently wrote that Luxshare management had been given time to respond but had failed to do so, and that the stolen archives contained confidential project documentation protected under non-disclosure agreements. The post was accompanied by data samples that the group said were provided as proof of compromise.

Cybernews reported that its research team reviewed portions of the leaked sample data attached to the post and found what appeared to be legitimate internal Luxshare documentation tied to Apple projects. The materials explain confidential repair procedures and logistics workflows between Apple and Luxshare, including detailed process descriptions, timelines, and partner coordination documents.

Files commonly used in product design and manufacturing workflows, such as .dwg and Gerber files, were present in the samples reviewed. The projects referenced in the samples span a period from 2019 through to 2025. As such, it seems likely that unreleased products may be included. The researchers also said the sample data appears to include personally identifiable information of individuals involved in Apple projects, such as full names, job titles, and work email addresses.

Access to detailed engineering designs and manufacturing documentation could pose risks if they are misused, such as product reverse engineering, counterfeit manufacturing, and targeted attacks on hardware or firmware facilitated by detailed knowledge of device layouts and component interactions. Exposure of employee contact information and internal workflows could also increase the risk of targeted phishing or follow-on intrusions against Apple's other partners. Neither Apple nor Luxshare have confirmed the cyberattack.
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The mid-week 9to5Toys Lunch Break is now ready to go starting with a rare discount on the official Apple iPhone Air MagSafe Battery now sitting down at a new Amazon all-time low price. That offer also joins one of the last chances at scoring M4 MacBook Air at $200 off and a notably low price on Apple’s latest black USB-C Magic Mouse at up to 37% off. We also have Anker’s new Smart Display Nano Charger down at $30, Apple’s 4-pack of AirTags at 35% off ($16 each), and even more down below. 

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Satechi recently kicked off a new sale that has its most popular desktop accessories at 20 percent off for a limited time. To get this discount, enter the code REFRESH20 at checkout on the accessories found in Satechi's "Desk Refresh Collection."

Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Satechi. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.

This sale includes products like Qi2 wireless chargers, Bluetooth keyboards, USB-C hubs, Thunderbolt accessories, and more. Satechi provides free shipping on orders with a value that exceeds $20, so many of the products in this sale should automatically net you the free shipping bonus.




Additionally, Satechi announced a few products at CES earlier this month, and to mark the launch it's providing a 20 percent discount on these devices for early adopters. You can use the code CES2026 at checkout to get 20 percent off all five of Satechi's newest products.




Satechi's new CES 2026 products include two wireless keyboards, a wireless mouse, Thunderbolt 5 cable, and Thunderbolt 5 CubeDock with SSD Enclosure. All items in this sale are available to purchase and ship now, with the exception of the Thunderbolt 5 CubeDock, which is up for pre-order with an estimated shipping date of late March.

Finally, Satechi is hosting a "last chance" sale this week, with up to 30 percent off accessories with a limited supply remaining. In this sale you'll find discounts on MagSafe-compatible wireless charging pads, Thunderbolt docks, and more.

2026 Refresh Sale

Use Code REFRESH20 to see the below deals applied at checkout.

• 2-in-1 Foldable Qi2 Wireless Charging Stand - $64.00, down from $79.99


• Mac Mini Stand and Hub with SSD Enclosure - $80.00, down from $99.99


• Slim SM3 Mechanical Backlit Bluetooth Keyboard - $96.00, down from $119.99


• 3-in-1 Foldable Qi2 Wireless Charging Stand - $104.00, down from $129.99


• Qi2 Trio Wireless Charging Pad - $104.00, down from $129.99


• 200W USB-C 6-Port GaN Hub - $120.00, down from $149.99


• Thunderbolt 4 Slim Hub Pro - $160.00, down from $199.99

CES 2026 Sale

Use Code CES2026 to see the below deals applied at checkout.

• Slim EX Wireless Mouse - $24.00, down from $29.99


• Thunderbolt 5 Pro Cable - $32.00, down from $39.99


• Slim EX1 Wireless Keyboard - $40.00, down from $49.99


• Slim EX3 Wireless Keyboard - $56.00, down from $69.99


• Thunderbolt 5 CubeDock - $320.00 (pre-order), down from $399.99

Last Chance Sale

All deals have been applied automatically and do not require a coupon code.

• 2-in-1 Headphone Stand with Wireless Charger - $55.99, down from $79.99


• USB-C Monitor Stand Hub XL - $69.99, down from $149.99


• Pro Hub Max - $69.99, down from $99.99


• Duo Wireless Charger Power Stand - $69.99, down from $99.99


• Trio Wireless Charger with Magnetic Pad - $83.99, down from $119.99


• Thunderbolt 4 Dock - $199.99, down from $299.99

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For All Mankind, one of the original Apple TV originals, makes its triumphant return in just two months. Apple TV released the first teaser for the fifth season as well as the premiere date for episode one. There’s also a first look at Joel Kinnaman’s artificially aged character Ed Baldwin, and let’s just say it’s a lot.

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OpenAI says it is now rolling out ChatGPT age prediction and that it will use this to determine the content you are allowed to see. It’s not immediately clear how this will impact Siri fallback to ChatGPT.

The AI company says that it will use a wide range of signals to guess your age, including your usage patterns over time …

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Apple's iPhone 18 will feature a significantly brighter display, according to a Chinese leaker.


In a new post on Weibo, the user known as "Instant Digital" said that Chinese supplier BOE has little hope of making panels for the ‌iPhone 18‌ because Apple's brightness requirements for the next-generation device are unprecedentedly high. This suggests that the ‌iPhone 18‌'s display will see a considerable leap forward in terms of brightness.

The iPhone 13 and ‌iPhone‌ 14 offered a typical maximum brightness of 800 nits, with peak HDR brightness of 1,200 nits. With the ‌iPhone‌ 15, iPhone 16, and iPhone 17 Apple increased this to 1,000 nits typical maximum brightness and 1,600 nits peak HDR brightness. The ‌iPhone 17‌ also saw a notable increase from 2,000 nits of outdoor peak brightness to 3,000 nits.

Earlier today, Korea's The Elec reported that BOE is again struggling with ‌iPhone‌ OLED production, causing millions of panel orders to be shifted to Samsung Display.

The ‌iPhone 18‌ is expected to launch in early 2027, featuring the A20 chip, the C2 modem, and a simpler Camera Control.
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Apple has beaten a class action's claims alleging that it records users' mobile activity without their consent despite the company's privacy assurances, reports Bloomberg Law.


Filed in November 2022, the lawsuit accused Apple of "utterly false" assurances that users are in control of what information they share when they use stock ‌iPhone‌ apps like the App Store and Apple Music.

Specifically, it claimed that Apple's mobile device options to disable the sharing of device analytics and opting out of settings such as "Allow Apps to Request to Track" do nothing to stop Apple from continuing to collect data relating to users' browsing and activity for monetization purposes.

From the Bloomberg report:

Judge Edward J. Davila on Tuesday granted Apple's motion to dismiss parts of the class action that alleged violations of California's Invasion of Privacy Act, the California Constitution, the state's unfair competition law, breach of implied contract, and the Pennsylvania Wiretapping and Electronic Surveillance Control Act.

Davila, who sits on the US District Court for the Northern District of California, said he would give the plaintiffs one final opportunity to amend and refile their complaint "out of an abundance of caution."

"It is doubtful whether Plaintiffs can sufficiently plead their dismissed claims given the deficiencies addressed in this Order," he said.

This week's ruling only dismissed the California-specific privacy claims. Several other claims in the lawsuit already survived an earlier ruling in September 2024 and remain active.

Those claims – based on the "Share Device Analytics" setting – include breach of contract, unjust enrichment, and violations of consumer protection laws in Illinois, New Jersey, and New York. Judge Davila found that the plaintiffs had sufficiently argued they withdrew consent to data collection by turning off that setting.
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Even traditional video-on-demand services are no longer safe, it seems: Netflix vertical video is coming later this year.

The company started testing the idea more than six months ago, and one of its co-CEOs has now confirmed that the move is going ahead …

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OpenAI is "on track" to unveil its first AI device in the second half of this year, Axios reported this week.


The comment was given to the publication by OpenAI's chief global affairs officer Chris Lehane, who listed "devices" as one of the big coming attractions for the company in 2026.

Lehane didn't go into specifics about the upcoming product, which is being designed by former Apple design chief Jony Ive's oi Products team. Ive's startup officially merged with OpenAI last year after it was acquired for $6.5 billion.

Previous leaks have suggested that the company's first ChatGPT-powered gadget will be pocket-sized, contextually aware of your surroundings and life, and completely screen-free. Details that emerged in court filings last year suggested it would not be a wearable, but an alleged supply chain leak this week points to OpenAI's development of two pill-shaped gadgets that rest behind the ear and go by the codename "Sweetpea."

According to the leaker known as Smart Pikachu, the devices will be metallic and feature a custom 2nm chip to "replace iPhone actions by commanding Siri," suggesting some functional overlap with AirPods. The back-of-the-ear modules are also believed to feature sensors for environmental or contextual awareness, and are stored inside an egg-shaped case.

OpenAI is said to be considering launching several AI products over the next few years, potentially including a pen and a "home-style device." The leak could therefore relate to a different product to the one that OpenAI launches first. That said, Smart Pikachu claims Ive's team is prioritizing the behind-the-ear wearable, which is reportedly being manufactured by Foxconn and could launch as soon as September, so we'll have to wait and see.

Speaking to Axios, Lehane didn't commit to OpenAI's first device actually going on sale this year, but said the company was "looking at something in the latter part [of 2026]."
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There’s been considerable confusion about the fate of the iPhone 18 Pro Dynamic Island, with conflicting claims about the position of the selfie camera, the visibility of the Face ID components, and the size and location of the Dynamic Island.

One recent report seemed to leave open the possibility that the upcoming device wouldn’t even need a Dynamic Island, but a reliable source has now stepped in to clarify the position …

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