OpenAI releases Micro, a $230 keypad designed to work with ChatGPT

In short: OpenAI has launched Micro, a small $230 keypad that connects to your computer and gives you extra buttons for controlling ChatGPT.

What happened

OpenAI released its first hardware product last week, a compact keypad called Micro. It was made in collaboration with Work Louder, a company known for specialty keyboards.

Micro is designed to be used alongside ChatGPT, not as a replacement for your normal keyboard. Think of it like a set of shortcut buttons you keep next to your laptop, so you can trigger common actions without clicking around.

According to a hands-on report from TechCrunch, Micro has six customizable “agent” keys and six command keys. It can connect to a computer using Bluetooth or a USB cable. It also includes a voice dictation button, which lets you press and hold a key, speak your request, and then hit send.

Users can change what the keys do inside ChatGPT, including settings like key brightness and which tasks or projects are tied to each button. The device uses colored lights to show status, such as blue for “thinking” and green for “done,” but this can take time to learn.

Early reactions from some coders have been negative, including complaints about the price compared with cheaper alternatives.

Why it matters

This shows OpenAI is moving beyond software and into physical products that make using AI tools faster for heavy users. For most people, it may feel unnecessary, but for someone who uses ChatGPT all day, a dedicated keypad could be like having speed dial for common tasks.

Source: TechCrunch AI