OpenAI launches $230 Codex Micro keyboard as Apple trade secret lawsuit looms
The limited-run device serves as a physical command centre for the AI coding assistant, while a separate, undisclosed smart speaker project faces scrutiny over its ties to Apple’s former workforce.
OpenAI has officially entered the physical hardware market with the release of the Codex Micro, a $230 light-up keyboard co-designed with Work Louder. The device is positioned as a dedicated command centre for the company’s AI coding assistant, Codex, offering users a tangible interface to manage semi-autonomous coding agents that write and execute code with minimal human input.
The keyboard features light-up “Agent Keys” to display agent status, customisable Command Keys for shortcuts, and a joystick for launching workflows. A dedicated dial allows users to adjust the “reasoning level” of the AI, effectively controlling the amount of time and computing power allocated to a specific task. The device is controllable via the ChatGPT desktop app and is described by OpenAI as a limited-run collaboration, suggesting it is a novelty item rather than a mass-market product.
The launch arrives against the backdrop of a significant legal dispute between OpenAI and Apple. Apple has filed a lawsuit alleging that OpenAI’s senior leadership engaged in a deliberate strategy to extract confidential information from the tech giant. The suit claims this information was used to develop a separate, undisclosed OpenAI hardware device, allegations OpenAI has denied.
Bloomberg reported that the device under legal scrutiny is a portable, screenless smart speaker currently in development. The project reportedly involves former Apple engineers and features mechanical elements that can move independently. While the final design remains unclear and subject to change, the involvement of former Apple staff has drawn intense scrutiny from the Cupertino-based company.
This hardware expansion marks a strategic shift for OpenAI, which has faced regulatory and legal headwinds regarding its broader ambitions. While the Codex Micro serves as the company’s first confirmed physical product, the future of the undisclosed smart speaker project remains uncertain as it navigates the ongoing litigation and the challenge of integrating disparate features into a coherent consumer product.
