I have been digging into the latest leaks regarding the partnership between OpenAI and Jony Ive, and it looks like their first product is finally taking shape. The project is a handheld device shaped like a pen, and the internal team is calling it Gumdrop. This matters because it shows a clear shift in how tech leaders think about our daily habits. Instead of giving us another screen to stare at, OpenAI wants to build a tool that fits into how we already work. By making the device a pen, they are targeting a very specific group of people: students, professionals, and creatives who still find value in physical writing but want the power of AI to organize their thoughts.
The design philosophy behind this project is to create something that does not demand your constant attention. Most of our current gadgets are designed to keep us scrolling, but this pen is meant to be used only when you have a specific task in mind. Sam Altman has described the device as a way to find a sense of peace, similar to being in a quiet cabin rather than a busy city center. By removing the screen, the team is forcing the technology to stay in the background. It is a bold bet that in 2026, people are ready to trade their glowing displays for a tool that feels more human and less addictive.
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A pen that is more than just your average stylus
The Gumdrop device is a lot more complex than a standard ballpoint or a stylus for a tablet. It is packed with cameras and microphones that allow it to understand what is happening in the room. When you write on a normal piece of paper, the pen tracks the movement and instantly turns your handwriting into digital text. This text is then sent to ChatGPT, which can summarize your notes, fix your spelling, or even answer questions about what you just wrote. For a student in a lecture or a lawyer in a meeting, this means you can stay focused on the person speaking while the pen handles the digital filing.
Beyond just writing, the pen is designed to be a vocal partner. It uses a specialized version of the ChatGPT voice model that can handle natural, two-way conversations. You can ask the pen for help with a math problem you are writing down, or ask it to suggest a better way to phrase a sentence. Because it has “eyes” through its camera, it can see the physical world around you to provide better context for its answers. This creates a much more seamless experience than typing into a search engine. It turns a simple writing instrument into a bridge between the physical world and the digital archives of the internet.
A product that will see manufacturing away from China
One of the biggest stories behind the scenes is where this device is being built. Originally, OpenAI was in talks with a Chinese company called Luxshare to handle the assembly. However, those talks fell through because OpenAI did not want its first major hardware project manufactured on the Chinese mainland. They have since moved the contract to Foxconn, and production is expected to happen in Vietnam or the United States. This business move is about security and avoiding the complicated trade rules between the US and China. OpenAI is treating this device with a high level of caution because it will be collecting very personal data like handwriting and voice recordings.
By choosing Foxconn as the partner, OpenAI is leaning on the same company that builds the iPhone. This gives them access to high-end manufacturing at a massive scale. It also signals to the market that OpenAI is serious about being a hardware company, not just a software provider. Moving away from the “red supply chain” in China is a strategic play to ensure the device is accepted by Western governments and corporate clients who are often wary of data privacy. For the business of OpenAI, this move ensures that they can grow without being slowed down by geopolitical arguments or export bans.
Release and Pricing information
OpenAI and Jony Ive are currently aiming for a release window in late 2026 or early 2027. While there has been no official announcement, supply chain insiders suggest that the company is trying to have units ready for a showcase in the fall of 2026. The price is expected to be in the premium range, likely landing between $400 and $600 for the device itself. This is a significant investment for a gadget without a screen, but the company believes the high quality materials and the advanced AI capabilities will justify the cost for professional users.
There is also a strong possibility that using the pen will require an ongoing subscription. Most experts believe the device will be tied to the existing ChatGPT Plus or Pro memberships, which currently cost around $20 to $30 per month. This would cover the processing power needed for the pen to “think” and communicate in real time. For the consumer, the total cost of ownership will include both the initial hardware price and the monthly fee to keep the AI brain active. OpenAI is hoping that the convenience of having a “digital secretary” in your pocket will make this a necessary expense for millions of people worldwide.
