Apple Develops AI Pin Wearable to Rival OpenAI Device

Apple is developing a small wearable device shaped like a pin, about the size of an AirTag but a bit thicker. The company wants to release it as early as 2027 to keep up with rivals like OpenAI, which plans its own AI hardware soon. This pin would attach to clothing and use AI to see and hear the world around the wearer.

Background

Apple has spent years building tools like the Apple Watch and AirPods, but now it turns to AI-powered wearables. The pin comes at a time when the company faces pressure in the AI field. It recently teamed up with Google to improve Siri using the Gemini model. Apple also plans to change Siri into a chatbot like ChatGPT for the next iOS update. These steps show Apple working hard to catch up in AI after some delays.

The idea of AI pins is not new. A startup called Humane, started by former Apple staff, launched one in 2024. That device had a camera and microphones too, but it sold fewer than 10,000 units. People complained about slow responses and bad battery life. Humane sold parts of its business to HP for $116 million and shut down operations. This failure makes Apple's move riskier, but the company has more resources to make it work.

OpenAI's plans add to the race. Its top affairs officer said this week that the company expects to show its first device in late 2026. That could be earbuds or something else small without a screen. OpenAI bought a design firm from Jony Ive, Apple's former design chief, to help build it. Qualcomm's CEO predicts AI wearables like glasses, earbuds, and jewelry will grow fast, with shipments jumping from 10 million to 100 million units soon.

"We are on track to unveil our first device in the second half of 2026," said Chris Lehane, OpenAI's chief global affairs officer.

Apple's pin project fits into this bigger push. The market for AI hardware is growing, with companies like Meta making AI glasses and Amazon testing a smart bracelet. Dozens of smaller firms have tried similar devices, but few have succeeded so far.

Key Details

The pin is a thin, flat circle made of aluminum and glass. It measures about the same as an AirTag, just slightly thicker to fit all parts inside. Two cameras sit on the front: one standard lens and one wide-angle. These capture photos and videos of what is in front of the wearer.

Three microphones pick up sounds nearby. A speaker lets it play audio back. There is a physical button on one edge for controls. The back has a magnetic charging spot like the Apple Watch uses. No built-in way to attach it yet, but that may come later.

Hardware and AI Features

Engineers aim for the pin to work on its own, without needing other Apple gear like AirPods or future smart glasses. It would run AI software to process what the cameras and mics record. This could let users ask questions about their surroundings or get alerts hands-free. Development is early, so details may change or the project could stop.

Apple plans to make 20 million units at launch if it goes ahead. The company wants to speed up work to match OpenAI's timeline. Past AI efforts at Apple hit snags, like delays after promises at its 2024 developer event. The head of AI left recently, but partnerships like the one with Google help move things forward.

What This Means

If Apple releases the pin, it could change how people use wearables. No screen means it relies on voice and AI smarts, like talking to a small assistant on your shirt. This fits Apple's focus on simple designs that blend into daily life. Success would boost its spot in AI hardware, where phones alone no longer lead.

Privacy questions arise with always-on cameras and mics. Apple stresses user control and data safety in its products. The pin's button might let people turn recording on and off. How it handles data will matter a lot to buyers, given past concerns with similar devices.

The market tests if people want these pins. Humane's flop shows risks, but Apple's brand pulls in millions for watches and tags. A 2027 launch lines up with OpenAI's device, starting a direct contest. Other players like Meta and Amazon watch closely. Shipments of AI glasses already hit 10 million a year, and experts see room for pins if they solve old problems like battery and speed.

Apple's move signals a shift. Wearables once tracked steps or played music. Now they see, hear, and think with AI. The pin could pair with iPhones or stand alone, opening new ways to stay connected without pulling out a phone. Production plans for 20 million units show confidence, but early stage means nothing is sure yet.

Rivals push Apple to act fast. OpenAI's 2026 reveal sets a clock. Qualcomm chips power many such devices, hinting at supply chain needs. If the pin works, it joins a wave of AI tools reshaping pockets and wrists. Failure would remind everyone of Humane's short run. Either way, 2027 brings big changes to what we wear.