OpenAI has launched its first official hardware product, the Codex Micro keyboard, priced at $230 and designed specifically for its AI coding assistant, Codex. The device, co-designed with specialty keyboard maker Work Louder, aims to transform how developers interact with autonomous coding agents, but its release comes amid a high-profile legal battle with Apple over alleged trade secret theft. Main Developments The Codex Micro features light-up Agent Keys that display the status of each AI coding agent, customizable Command Keys for frequent Codex actions, a joystick for launching common workflows, and a dial to adjust agent reasoning level—controlling how much time and computing power an agent uses on a task. Users can manage their coding agents directly from the keyboard, bypassing phone or desktop app interfaces. OpenAI told TechCrunch that the Micro is a limited-run collaboration, positioning it more as a novelty item than a mass-market product. The device is controllable and customizable through the ChatGPT desktop app, reinforcing its role as a specialized tool for developers working with multiple AI agents. Read also: Microsoft Patches Age of Empires II Bug That Let Hackers Hijack PCs via Game Invite Background This keyboard launch is the smaller of two hardware announcements from OpenAI this week. Bloomberg reported on a separate, still-in-development device described as a portable, screenless smart speaker with moving mechanical parts that integrates with ChatGPT. That product is being designed by former Apple engineers and is subject to change. Apple last week sued OpenAI, accusing the company's senior leadership of a deliberate strategy to extract confidential information and use it in developing its own hardware. OpenAI has denied the allegations. The timing of the Codex Micro launch—amid an active trade secrets lawsuit—has drawn attention to the connection between the two companies. Why It Matters The Codex Micro represents OpenAI's first step into the hardware market, signaling a strategic pivot beyond software and AI models. While the $230 keyboard is a niche accessory for developers using Codex agents, the larger screenless smart speaker project hints at long-term ambitions to create physical products that embed ChatGPT into everyday environments. The legal battle with Apple adds uncertainty to these hardware plans. If Apple's trade secrets lawsuit proceeds, it could affect design decisions, hiring, or timelines for the smart speaker. For developers, the Micro offers a tangible way to interact with AI agents, potentially changing workflows for those who manage multiple autonomous coding bots. What's Next The Codex Micro is available as a limited-run product, with no announced plans for broader production. The screenless smart speaker remains in development, and OpenAI has not provided a release timeline. The Apple lawsuit is in its early stages, with both companies likely to file initial motions in the coming weeks. Open questions include whether the Micro will see a second version, how the smart speaker will handle privacy concerns, and whether the legal dispute will impact hardware hiring.