OpenAI released its first hardware last week, a nifty little keypad built to pair with ChatGPT. Developed in collaboration with professional keyboard designer Work Louder, the Micro is essentially a craftsman’s workshop novelty that many tech enthusiasts will love and others may find a bit puzzling.
OpenAI’s entry into the hardware market did not come without drama. A few weeks ago, Apple accused the AI lab of trade theft, kicking off a long-simmering legal battle. Meanwhile, news about another smart home product being developed by OpenAI also attracted attention. The device, which is believed to be being built to pair with ChatGPT, was reportedly developed by a former Apple engineer.
Until the legal battle resolves itself and OpenAI’s broader hardware ambitions are realized, the most the startup has to offer is the Micro, a funky little keypad clearly designed to please the tech industry’s code monkeys.
OpenAI sent TechCrunch a Micro test device. The first thing you notice when first handling the keypad is that it is a sturdy, compact device. It’s good enough that it can easily serve as a paperweight if the AI accessory isn’t working properly. Another thing you’ll notice (and I’m not the only one who points this out) is that the packaging is quite Apple code – a spotless white box with a sleek, clean aesthetic. Do whatever you want.
The keypad’s layout includes six translucent “agent” keys at the top of the pad, which can be customized to perform specific tasks within ChatGPT or its agent coding tool Codex. Below that are six command keys that can be used to control that program. You can pair the Micro with your computer via a Bluetooth connection or a USB cable.
Perhaps the most convenient feature the Micro offers is the voice dictation button. This means you just tell the app what you want to do and it does it for you. Hold down the dictation button and start speaking. Once you’re done, click the “Send” button next to submit your request.
You can customize your micro keypad within ChatGPT itself. Microtab lets you adjust everything from the brightness of a key’s glow to the specific commands and projects you want to associate with that key.
Hardcore coders (the device’s actual target audience) didn’t exactly embrace it. Reviews from Reddit users were largely negative. One Reddit user called the product “a joke, not a real product,” while another user said it wouldn’t be touched by a professional coder. Reviews from Aftermath, a small independent outlet, were much harsher. The $230 price tag is difficult to justify next to cheaper DIY and ready-made alternatives, he said. (The review was titled: “OpenAI’s Expensive Macropad Seems Designed to Make Me Especially Angry.”)
New users may need some time to figure out how Micro works and what to do.
Once I figured out how to program the keypad to my liking, I actually found it quite fun. Different ChatGPT sessions can be assigned to specific keys, allowing you to easily switch between all your different projects. Combining this with the dictation button makes the whole experience much more efficient and enjoyable.
However, there is still a learning curve. The Micro’s buttons are color-coded. White means the agent is idle, blue means it’s thinking, green means the task is complete, and red means there’s an error. You need to remember this along with remembering which specific project is coded for each key.
The big question is whether a micro keypad is functionally easier to use than continuing to work on a laptop. Simply put, why would you spend a week learning how to program and operate this device when you already know how to use your computer’s mouse and keyboard?
Ultimately, your Micro experience will largely depend on how much you use ChatGPT. I don’t use AI much on a daily basis, so I’m probably not its target audience.
That said, if you’re a ChatGPT power user and have $230 to spare and like vintage-looking hardware with clicky buttons, the Micro probably isn’t the worst purchase. It might make your day a little brighter.
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