OpenAI Announces the Codex Micro AI Assistant Keypad

OpenAI announced the Codex Micro, a compact keypad priced at US$230, developed with specialty keyboard maker Work Louder. The device features 13 mechanical keys, a touch sensor, rotary encoder, and planar joystick, connecting via Bluetooth or USB-C. It is designed primarily for use with ChatGPT but supports any keyboard-input software, though its high price and niche functionality may limit its market appeal.

After many rumours about what OpenAI's first hardware product would be—with rumours ranging from a speaker to an iPhone killer—the company has now revealed the Codex Micro, which simply put is a keypad. This is obviously not what anyone was expecting and at US$230 for what is largely a compact keypad from specialty keyboard maker Work Louder, it's hard to see how this is going to be a big seller. It does admittedly appear to be a high quality product, but it's pretty much a Stream Deck for ChatGPT. From a hardware perspective, you get 13 mechanical keys—clicky and silent options are available—one touch sensor, one rotary encoder and one planar joystick. The keypad has RGB backlight, not just of the keys, but also the sides of the device. It connects via Bluetooth or USB-C and it comes with a set of 31 keycaps for customisation. The keycaps are made out of PBT and polycarbonate, whereas the keypad itself is made out of CNC'd polycarbonate and aluminium. We should also note that it's not limited to use with ChatGPT, as it can apparently be used with any software that supports keyboard input. Whether or not it's worth the asking price, is a different matter.