OpenAI Unveils Its First Collaborative Hardware: Codex Micro Keyboard, $230, Glows

OpenAI has finally entered the hardware arena with a ceremonial move. The company recently launched a $230 keyboard that lights up on its own, designed specifically for its AI code assistant, Codex. The keyboard, named Codex Micro, was developed in collaboration with professional keyboard designer Work Louder. Its target audience is clear: users who rely on ChatGPT to command a fleet of AI coding agents. These "agent armies" are semi-autonomous bots that require minimal supervision, capable of writing and executing code independently. Now, managing this team comes with a new and more expensive method.

The keyboard's most notable feature is the row of glowing agent keys, which act as status indicators, showing in real time which agents are active and which are idle. Customizable command keys are programmed for Codex's frequent operations, eliminating the need to dig through menus. A joystick enables quick launching of common workflows, effectively serving as a shortcut for repetitive tasks. The most ingenious element is the physical dial—turning it adjusts the reasoning level the agent applies to a specific task, meaning you manually control how much time and computing power the AI dedicates to the matter. It brings a scheduling control that was once hidden behind the screen into a tangible, rotating metal knob.

OpenAI's message is clear: managing AI agents no longer requires a phone or desktop app. This Micro keyboard serves as the command center for agent operations. On a desk, it exudes a futuristic feel, and its glowing appearance signals that the owner is harnessing advanced productivity. Control and customization are handled through the ChatGPT desktop app, creating a tightly integrated ecosystem. However, OpenAI acknowledged in an email to the media that the Micro is a limited edition collaborative product. Essentially, it is more of a distinctive, symbolic gadget than a mass-market item. Yet the message it sends is unmistakable: the company has officially planted its first flag in the hardware landscape.

The truly groundbreaking hardware news may lie in a different clue. On Tuesday, Bloomberg reported that OpenAI is developing a new, unreleased device, which appears to be part of a long-term strategy. The device is described as a portable, screenless smart speaker, not only equipped with ChatGPT but also featuring moving mechanical components. At this stage, it's difficult to envision how these disparate elements—screenless, portable, and mobile—could be combined into a cohesive product, and OpenAI is keeping details under wraps. Yet this very secrecy paints an intriguing picture. Bloomberg also noted that the device is still in development, and its final form could change at any time.

A revealing detail: the new device is said to have involved former Apple engineers, and Apple is currently suing OpenAI for stealing trade secrets. This subtle connection naturally attracted attention. Just last week, Apple filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, accusing its executives of deliberately stealing confidential information and claiming that OpenAI used it to develop its own hardware. OpenAI's response was straightforward: denying any wrongdoing.

With a glowing keyboard and a moving speaker both on the scene, OpenAI's hardware ambitions are no longer concealed. As for the outcome of the lawsuit with Apple, it could be the key variable that determines how far this new frontier can be explored.