{"slug": "openai-launches-230-keyboard-amid-apple-theft-allegations", "title": "OpenAI launches $230 keyboard amid Apple theft allegations", "summary": "OpenAI launched the Codex Micro, a $230 miniature keyboard designed as an AI coding assistant, amid accusations from Apple that OpenAI stole trade secrets through former employees. The company denied the allegations and is also developing a screenless AI companion device with former Apple designer Jony Ive, which CEO Sam Altman called 'the coolest piece of technology that the world will have ever seen.'", "body_md": "# OpenAI launches $230 keyboard amid Apple theft allegations\n\nCodex Micro comes ahead of mystery device that CEO Sam Altman says is ‘the coolest piece of technology that the world will have ever seen’\n\n- Bookmark\n- CommentsGo to comments\n\n[OpenAI](/topic/openai) has unveiled its first hardware product amid accusations that it has stolen trade secrets from [Apple](/topic/apple).\n\nThe [ChatGPT](/topic/chatgpt) creator launched the Codex Micro, a $230 miniature keyboard, on Wednesday, advertising it as an AI coding assistant for users of its Codex tool.\n\nBuilt in collaboration with hardware design company Work Louder, it features a joystick, a rotary dial, 12 keyboard buttons, a USB-C connection and Bluetooth capabilities.\n\n“It makes jumping between tasks so much easier than ever before,” OpenAI said in a demonstration [video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m8uUUUsMD3Y).\n\n“And by the way, the analogue stick is a great fidget toy while you’re waiting for Codex to complete its task.”\n\nThe unveiling of the Codex Micro comes less than a week after [Apple filed a lawsuit](/news/apple-openai-chatgpt-california-amazon-b3012964.html) accusing OpenAI of stealing hardware secrets through former employees of the Cupertino company.\n\nIn a statement, OpenAI said it was “not aware of any evidence that this complaint has merit.”\n\nThe company added: “We believe in fair competition and allowing people the freedom to work wherever they choose, and we’re focused on building innovative technology that empowers people everywhere.”\n\nOpenAI is also working on [another AI device](/tech/openai-device-altman-ive-ai-b2763650.html) that is designed to serve as a “humanlike” companion to everyday users, though no release date has been set.\n\nThe long-awaited gadget is being developed with former iPhone designer Jony Ive and is expected to come in the form of a screenless smart speaker.\n\nOpenAI CEO Sam Altman described it in a promo video last year as a “third core device” – with the first and second core being a computer and a smartphone – that is “the coolest piece of technology that the world will have ever seen.”\n\nIn a leaked internal staff call he gave further details, claiming it will be “capable of being fully aware of a user’s surroundings and life, will be unobtrusive, able to rest in one’s pocket or on one’s desk.”\n\nThis week, Bloomberg reported that it will come with a camera and additional sensors to “understand” a user’s environment, as well as a rechargeable batter to allow it to be carried anywhere.\n\nThe launch is rumoured to be scheduled to launch at some point in 2027.\n\n## Join our commenting forum\n\nJoin thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies\n\n[Comments](#comments-area)", "url": "https://wpnews.pro/news/openai-launches-230-keyboard-amid-apple-theft-allegations", "canonical_source": "https://www.independent.co.uk/tech/openai-keyboard-ai-codex-micro-apple-b3015979.html", "published_at": "2026-07-16 10:54:07+00:00", "updated_at": "2026-07-16 11:02:24.274138+00:00", "lang": "en", "topics": ["artificial-intelligence", "ai-products", "ai-policy"], "entities": ["OpenAI", "Apple", "Codex Micro", "Sam Altman", "Jony Ive", "Work Louder", "ChatGPT"], "alternates": {"html": "https://wpnews.pro/news/openai-launches-230-keyboard-amid-apple-theft-allegations", "markdown": "https://wpnews.pro/news/openai-launches-230-keyboard-amid-apple-theft-allegations.md", "text": "https://wpnews.pro/news/openai-launches-230-keyboard-amid-apple-theft-allegations.txt", "jsonld": "https://wpnews.pro/news/openai-launches-230-keyboard-amid-apple-theft-allegations.jsonld"}}