OpenAI has launched Micro, a $230 hardware keypad designed to interface with ChatGPT and its coding tools, developed in collaboration with Work Louder.
Key facts
- •The Micro keypad was developed in collaboration with specialty keyboard designer Work Louder.
- •The device retails for $230.
- •Users can connect the keypad to their computers using either Bluetooth or a USB cable.
- •The keypad features six 'agent' keys and six command keys.
- •Status lights on the device use four colors to indicate if an agent is idle, thinking, finished, or has encountered an error.
OpenAI has entered the hardware market with the release of Micro, a specialized keypad built to pair with ChatGPT. Developed alongside keyboard designer Work Louder, the device features customizable keys intended to assist users with ChatGPT and the coding tool Codex. The launch comes amid ongoing legal tensions between OpenAI and Apple, as well as reports of other smart home hardware currently in development at the company.
Design and Functionality
The Micro keypad features six top-row 'agent' keys for task customization and six command keys for controlling software. Users can connect the device to a computer via Bluetooth or USB cable. Customization is managed directly through a dedicated tab within ChatGPT, allowing users to adjust key lighting and assign specific projects or commands to the buttons. The device uses a color-coded system to indicate status: white for idle, blue for thinking, green for task completion, and red for errors.
Market Reception and Criticism
The device has faced skepticism from some users and reviewers, particularly regarding its $230 price point. Some Reddit users have described the product as impractical for serious coding work, while a review from the outlet Aftermath criticized the cost relative to existing DIY or off-the-shelf alternatives. The product is primarily targeted at ChatGPT power users, though it requires a learning curve to master the programming and status-indicator system.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by TechCrunch.
