A curious sight in San Francisco this week has sparked a flurry of speculation online: Joe Gebbia, co-founder of Airbnb and recently appointed as the first U.S. Chief Design Officer under the Trump administration, was photographed with a distinctive metallic device. The image, shared on X (formerly Twitter) and quickly gaining traction with over 500,000 views, shows Gebbia seemingly enjoying an espresso while wearing unusual earbuds and a small, clamshell-shaped object resting on the cafe counter. The mystery surrounding this device has led to widespread theories, with many suggesting a connection to upcoming hardware from OpenAI.
The timing and appearance of the device have fueled speculation, particularly given OpenAI’s reported development of hardware, designed in partnership with Apple’s former design chief Jony Ive. Gebbia’s device bears a striking resemblance to hardware featured in a widely circulated, but ultimately debunked, promotional video for OpenAI that surfaced in February. OpenAI President Greg Brockman quickly dismissed that earlier video as “fake news” on X, but the visual similarities are undeniable. The question of what Gebbia was using—and whether it’s related to the secretive work at OpenAI—has quickly become a topic of intense interest in tech circles.
The Device: Earbuds and a Clamshell Case
The device Gebbia was seen with appears to consist of open-ear earbuds—a style that doesn’t block the ear canal—and a small, rounded case. Experts at SoundGuys have noted the earbuds’ similarity in shape to the Huawei FreeClip 2, released earlier this year. However, the case accompanying Gebbia’s earbuds differs from Huawei’s current designs. This distinction is notable, as the use of technology from a Chinese company like Huawei by a U.S. Government official could raise security concerns, given existing restrictions on Huawei’s products within the United States.
Further complicating the matter, analysis by WIRED suggests the image and video are unlikely to be AI-generated. Using detection software from Hive, the publication found a low probability of the imagery being synthetic, though it acknowledged that AI detection tools are not always reliable. Despite this assessment, the possibility of a sophisticated hoax remains open.
Gebbia’s New Role and OpenAI’s Hardware Ambitions
Joe Gebbia’s appointment as the U.S. Chief Design Officer in August 2025 marked a significant shift for the Airbnb co-founder. According to Wikipedia, he was appointed by President Trump to lead the National Design Studio within the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Prior to this role, Gebbia was primarily known for his work in the private sector, co-founding Airbnb and remaining on its board of directors until 2022. He also currently serves on the board of Tesla Inc. And holds a minority stake in the San Antonio Spurs.
Meanwhile, OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT and DALL-E, has been increasingly vocal about its ambitions beyond software. Reports indicate that OpenAI is planning to release its first hardware products as early as 2027. The company has been tight-lipped about the specifics, but the partnership with Jony Ive suggests a focus on innovative and aesthetically pleasing designs. The potential for a connection between Gebbia’s mysterious device and OpenAI’s hardware plans is a compelling, though unconfirmed, narrative.
A Shift in Political Alignment
Gebbia’s political leanings have also recently drawn attention. According to a report from HuffPost, Gebbia revealed he voted for Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential election, a departure from his previous support for the Democratic Party. He cited concerns about the U.S.-Mexico border as a key factor in his decision, stating he felt unanswered questions about border security led him to seek information from sources associated with the Trump administration, including Jared Kushner.
What’s Next?
Neither Gebbia nor OpenAI have responded to requests for comment regarding the device seen in San Francisco. The lack of official explanation leaves the tech community to continue speculating about its purpose and origin. OpenAI is expected to provide further details about its hardware plans at a future event, though a specific date has not yet been announced. Gebbia, in his role as U.S. Chief Design Officer, is expected to focus on improving the user experience of government websites and digital services, but the connection—if any—between this work and the mysterious device remains unclear. The next official update regarding OpenAI’s hardware is anticipated in early 2027, when the company plans to begin shipping devices to consumers.
The intrigue surrounding Gebbia’s device highlights the growing intersection of technology, politics, and design. As OpenAI prepares to enter the hardware market, and as government agencies increasingly prioritize user experience, the lines between these worlds are likely to become even more blurred. What do you think Gebbia was using? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
