Social media reports indicate that the AI hardware product, "Gumdrop," co-developed by OpenAI and Jony Ive, could potentially be a smart pen or a portable audio gadget. This product is set to be manufactured by Foxconn, with production facilities located in Vietnam. There's also a chance that Foxconn's U.S. factory will play a role in its production.

If the product is designed as a pen, it will have the capability to transcribe handwritten notes and seamlessly upload them to ChatGPT. Alternatively, if it incorporates audio features, users will be able to engage in two-way voice communication with ChatGPT. However, the chip supplier for this innovative device has not yet been finalized.

In November, OpenAI's co-founder, alongside Ive, disclosed that the first batch of prototypes for this device has already been produced. They anticipate a market release within the next two years. Positioned as a screenless AI phone, this device promises to be lightweight and portable, equipped with both a microphone and a camera.

It's worth noting that the consumer-grade standalone AI hardware market has previously underperformed. Should OpenAI opt for a pen-shaped design, it could potentially pioneer a new avenue in this sector. Nevertheless, the market's acceptance of such a design remains uncertain. OpenAI's strength in venturing into the hardware realm lies in its ability to utilize its models to construct an ecological closed loop, providing a unique edge in this competitive landscape.