Khaberni - The American company specializing in AI technologies, "OpenAI," has expressed on multiple occasions its interest in developing proprietary hardware that facilitates easier access to its services for users, instead of just relying on applications, websites, and even partnership contracts with various hardware manufacturers.
A recent report from the American tech site "TechCrunch" suggests that the company intends to enter the mobile phone sector and develop its own chip in collaboration with several major chip manufacturers including "Qualcomm," "MediaTek," and the renowned "Luxshare."
According to the report, the new "OpenAI" phone will operate differently from traditional smartphones; it places AI at the core of its system and hardware without direct restrictions on the technology's usage mechanisms or its potential reach within the phone.
This differs from the usage that current applications allow in various phones, whether for "ChatGPT" services or other AI services.
The latest "TechCrunch" report is consistent with previous reports that indicated "OpenAI" is working with device designer Jony Ive, who was responsible for designing and developing "iPhone" devices for many years.
A Phone Without Apps
The new "OpenAI" phone offers a different tech experience from typical smartphones; instead of relying on apps to perform various functions and tasks within the phone, the AI agent in the phone will handle these functions and tasks.
This extends not just to launching installed apps, but to a future where no apps exist, yet the AI agent can access various services through websites or even interact directly with them, then complete the required tasks within the service, like buying supplies or searching for new clothes, and so forth.
"OpenAI" aims to provide AI agents in the phone with unlimited access to all the capabilities and features of the phone, unlike the restricted access currently provided by other phone manufacturers, where companies like Apple and Google control the permissions of AI applications and their access capabilities.
The "TechCrunch" report indicates that the company will strive to develop the phone system entirely in-house, meaning it would be responsible for designing the phone, developing its operating system, and even the chips used in the phone, in collaboration with external companies in a manner similar to what Apple does.
It is worth noting that "Qualcomm" stocks jumped in today's stock market by 7% following reports of the collaboration with "OpenAI," recording the largest increase this year after a drop of 13%, according to a "CNBC" report.
While "Qualcomm" and "MediaTek" are working with "OpenAI" directly to develop the new phone chips, the manufacturing task of the phone itself will be undertaken by the Chinese company "Luxshare," which has manufacturing arms in various global industries.
"Luxshare" manufactures a range of prominent tech products from various companies worldwide, including "AirPods" wireless headphones, "Vision Pro" helmets, and even some "iPhone" devices on behalf of Apple, as well as a wide assortment of accessories used with various phones and home and gaming devices.
Launch Date
Regarding the launch date of the new phone, a "TechCrunch" report references previous statements by the head of global affairs at "OpenAI," Chris Lehan, indicating that the company plans to unveil its first smart devices by the second half of 2026.
However, this date differs from the date proposed in the report, which suggests that the company may unveil its new phone by the end of this year or the first quarter of next year, then start the manufacturing and production process in 2028.
These dates and the company's intention to launch more than one smart device reflect "OpenAI's" broad interest in user-oriented devices, an interest that coincides with several major changes within the company and its general policy.
Among these changes is a direct shift to primarily being a for-profit company while maintaining a separate non-profit organization.
These reports also come in the context of "OpenAI's" separation from "Microsoft" and the building of a new partnership with "Amazon," all of which indicate attempts by "OpenAI" to expand its business scope and achieve profitability.
Thus, launching tech-smart products that users can directly access represents a pivotal step in the company's new direction, for several reasons, most importantly bridging closer to users' needs and shifting to an AI company that serves their needs first.
