OpenAI's first hardware product could be named Dime (leak reveals)

A patent filing linked to OpenAI became public in China on February 5, 2026, exposing the name "Dime" for what sources describe as the company's inaugural consumer hardware product.

The document, registered with the China National Intellectual Property Administration, points to AI-powered earbuds set for release later in the year.

Tipster Smart Pikachu shared the information on X on February 6, 2026, noting that the filing confirms prior rumors about the device's branding.

"Document confirm a detail I am already hearing: consumer name for Sweetpea airpod product will be 'Dime'," the tipster posted, referring to the internal codename "Sweetpea" for the earbuds.

Source: Frandroid

The leak occurred amid new intellectual property rules for large U.S. AI firms operating in China, which prompted the filing's disclosure.

• OpenAI, based in San Francisco, has not commented on the patent or the leaked details.

The AI-earbuds are expected to provide voice-based access to OpenAI's AI models, enabling hands-free interactions for users.

Shipments could begin in early 2027, according to industry reports.

This product marks OpenAI's entry into hardware following its acquisition of a startup founded by former Apple designer Jony Ive in May 2025.

Sources indicate a change in OpenAI's approach, with the company opting to introduce a basic audio-focused version first. "Plan is now to ship simple headphone first.

Original 'phone-like' headphone device with compute delayed because HBM shortage made BOM price too much due to high memory needed for 2nm chip," Smart Pikachu added in the post.

The delay stems from shortages of high-bandwidth memory and elevated costs for advanced 2-nanometer processors, pushing back a more sophisticated model that would handle intensive AI computations independently.

OpenAI executives have previously signaled hardware developments, with chief global affairs officer Chris Lehane stating on January 19, 2026, at an event in Davos that the firm aimed to unveil its first device in the second half of the year.