OpenAI’s first hardware release turned out to be a keyboard for Codex

OpenAI is making its debut in the world of consumer devices, but not in the form of a dedicated smart speaker.

The AI ​​company on Wednesday unveiled the Codex Micro, a $230 miniature keyboard designed to let users monitor and control Codex agents — part of OpenAI’s AI coding platform. The limited-run keyboard was developed with and sold through peripheral maker Work Louder OpenAI Catering company merchandise store.

The Codex Micro features 13 RGB-lit agent keys that display agent status and a customizable set of command keys for repeatable Codex actions. It also has a rotary dial to adjust the AI’s “thought level” and a joystick to initiate shared workflows.

Codex has been a popular and favorite application for AI developers and Vibe programmers. In April, OpenAI said Codex had more than 3 million weekly users. But about half of Codex’s uses are for non-coding tasks, according to OpenAI. The company recently announced A series of updates To make Codex more integrated into every part of your workday, not just programming.

It comes with 32 additional interchangeable keycaps, connects via Bluetooth or USB-C, and is compatible with Mac and Windows systems. Pre-orders list an estimated shipping date of July 24.

It’s not exactly what many were expecting. The first OpenAI device was supposed to be… Portable smart speaker without screen It would “serve as a live-in AI companion,” according to a Bloomberg report on Tuesday.

(Disclosure: Ziff Davis, the parent company of CNET, in April 2025 filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging that it infringed Ziff Davis’s copyrights in training and operating its AI systems.)