Nothing is preparing to introduce its first AI-native device in December, with CEO Carl Pei teasing a mysterious new product that could signal the company’s expansion beyond smartphones and conventional consumer electronics.

Pei confirmed the upcoming release in a post on X, outlining his vision for the future of artificial intelligence and how dedicated hardware could play a significant role in bringing the technology into everyday life.

According to Pei, the AI industry is still in its early stages, with the technology currently following a similar path to personal computers and smartphones, which initially gained traction among businesses before achieving widespread consumer adoption.

He believes the defining consumer AI device has yet to emerge, although Nothing is positioning itself to explore the opportunities presented by the developing market.

While Pei stopped short of revealing specific details, he described the upcoming product as a tool designed with the personality and attention to design associated with Nothing’s existing devices.

“It’s a tool, but one built with the personality and care that have come to define a Nothing product. It has no new screen, and it couldn’t have been an app,” Pei said.

The comments suggest Nothing is developing a dedicated hardware product rather than another smartphone application, although its precise functionality remains unclear.

Pei also shared a teaser image showing the corner of what appears to be a compact device with a textured finish, offering few clues about its intended purpose.

One possibility is an AI-powered wearable or recording device designed to capture information and ideas throughout the day.

Pei has previously highlighted the limitations of current AI assistants, particularly their reliance on users actively providing information and context.

A dedicated device capable of capturing conversations, notes or spontaneous ideas could potentially address some of those limitations, although Nothing has not confirmed whether its upcoming product will offer such capabilities.

The company has also been linked to plans to expand its AI hardware portfolio, with wearable technology and audio products reportedly among its areas of interest.

However, dedicated AI hardware has faced challenges in gaining widespread consumer acceptance, with products such as the Rabbit R1 and Humane AI Pin attracting criticism over their functionality and usefulness compared with smartphone applications.

Nothing will therefore face the challenge of demonstrating why its first AI-native device offers a meaningful advantage over existing products.

For now, details surrounding the device’s specifications, pricing and availability remain under wraps.

Nothing is expected to reveal more information in December.