I tried out OpenAI’s new AI keypad — which will be fun for some coders and slightly...

OpenAI recently launched its very first piece of hardware, introducing a fancy little keypad built specifically to pair with ChatGPT. Developed in collaboration with specialty keyboard designer Work Louder, the device is named Micro. It functions essentially as an artisanal workplace novelty that many tech enthusiasts will undoubtedly love, while potentially leaving everyone else a little puzzled by its existence and purpose in a standard workspace.

OpenAI Enters the Hardware Market Amid Legal Battles

OpenAI’s entrance into the hardware market has not arrived without drama or controversy. Several weeks ago, Apple sued the AI lab and accused it of trade theft, effectively kicking off what is certain to be a long-simmering legal battle between the major technology entities. Meanwhile, news of another smart home product in development at OpenAI has also raised eyebrows across the industry. This supposed device, which is also being built to pair with ChatGPT, was reportedly developed by former Apple engineers.

Until the legal battle works itself out and OpenAI’s broader hardware ambitions fully materialize, the most the startup currently has to offer is Micro. It is a funky little keypad clearly engineered to delight the tech industry’s code monkeys. OpenAI sent TechCrunch a Micro test unit for evaluation. The first big thing you notice when initially handling the keypad is that it is a sturdy little device. In fact, it is hefty enough that if the AI accessory thing doesn’t quite work out for you, it could easily double as a heavy paperweight on your desk.

Design, Packaging, and Layout Features

The other thing you might notice immediately is the packaging. It comes in an immaculate white box with a sleek, clean aesthetic that feels remarkably Apple-coded. Make of that what you will regarding industry aesthetics. The keypad’s physical layout involves six frosted agent keys situated at the top of the pad. These can be customized to carry out specific tasks within ChatGPT or its agentic coding tool Codex. Below those top keys are six command keys, which can be used to control those programs directly. You can pair your Micro device with your computer either through a standard Bluetooth connection or by using a physical USB cable.

Perhaps the most convenient feature Micro offers is a dedicated button for voice dictation. This means you simply tell the app what you want done and it will get busy working on your behalf. You just hold down the dictation button and start talking. When you are finished, you tap the Send button right next to it to submit your request to the system. You can easily customize your Micro keypad directly within ChatGPT, where a dedicated Micro tab allows you to adjust everything from the brightness of the light emanating from the keys to the specific commands and projects you want tied to those individual keys.

Mixed Reactions From Coders and Reviewers

Hard-core coders, who represent the device’s actual target audience, have not exactly embraced the new hardware enthusiastically. Reviews shared by Redditors have been largely negative, with one Reddit user calling it a prank and not a real product, while others stated that serious coders simply won't touch it. A review by the smaller independent outlet Aftermath was even harsher, calling the $230 price tag hard to justify next to cheaper DIY and off-the-shelf alternatives. The title of that particular review bluntly stated that OpenAI’s expensive macropad feels engineered to piss me off specifically.

It is definitely the case that new users may need some time to figure out how Micro actually works and what to do with it. Once I figured out how to program the keypad to my liking, I found that it was actually pretty fun to use. You can assign various ChatGPT sessions to specific keys, which then allows you to easily toggle back and forth between all of your various ongoing projects. When you combine that capability with the dedicated dictation button, it makes the whole experience considerably more efficient and enjoyable.

Learning Curves and Everyday Practicality

However, there is still a notable learning curve involved with the device. Micro’s physical buttons are color-coded to indicate status. White means an agent is idle, blue means it is currently thinking, green means a task is complete, and red means there has been an error. You will need to memorize those color meanings, along with remembering which specific projects are coded to each individual key on the pad.

The big question remains whether the Micro keypad is functionally easier to use than simply continuing to work on your standard laptop. In short, why would a user spend a week learning how to program and operate this new device when they already know how to use their computer’s existing mouse and keyboard efficiently? Ultimately, your experience with the Micro will depend heavily on how much you actually use ChatGPT in your daily routine. Since I do not use AI much day to day, I am probably not the ideal target audience for it.

That said, if you happen to be a dedicated ChatGPT power user, have $230 to spare, and genuinely like vintage-looking hardware with clicky buttons, the Micro device from OpenAI probably isn’t the worst purchase you could possibly make. You can read more about the initial rollout and context in the original TechCrunch report. It might even brighten your day a little bit while you code. When you purchase through links in our articles, we may earn a small commission, though this never affects our editorial independence.