On February 7, blogger @SmartPikachu shared on platform X that OpenAI’s first hardware offering has been christened Dime—a pair of earbuds akin to Apple’s AirPods. Earlier, OpenAI had ambitions to craft a groundbreaking device with a “smartphone-like” framework, boasting high-end internal components, standalone computing capabilities, and material costs on par with those of smartphones. Yet, owing to consistently elevated hardware expenses, notably the sharp rise in component prices triggered by a memory chip shortage, developing “high-computing-power earbuds” posed challenges in achieving viable commercial returns. Consequently, OpenAI recalibrated its approach, choosing to “start with the simpler tasks and progress to the more complex ones” by focusing initially on AI audio earbuds with relatively straightforward features and a more conventional design. Given the present supply chain landscape, OpenAI has updated its launch schedule, with the basic iteration of the AI earbuds, Dime, slated for release in 2026. The company intends to leverage this product to gather user data and market insights, steadily cementing its position in the hardware market.