{"id":2046974,"date":"2026-07-16T19:09:37","date_gmt":"2026-07-16T16:09:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2046974"},"modified":"2026-07-16T19:09:37","modified_gmt":"2026-07-16T16:09:37","slug":"why-is-openai-selling-a-70-chatgpt-basketball","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2046974","title":{"rendered":"Why is OpenAI selling a $70 ChatGPT basketball?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/helios-i.mashable.com\/imagery\/articles\/005FpNyWsNOcAnjoNZjt9Jf\/hero-image.fill.size_1200x675.v1784225790.jpg&#8221;]<\/p>\n<article class=\"mx-auto max-w-5xl\" data-seamless-content data-seamless-title=\"Why is OpenAI selling a $70 ChatGPT basketball?\" data-seamless-slug=\"openai-chatgpt-basketball-merch-why\" data-seamless-canonical-url=\"https:\/\/mashable.com\/life\/openai-chatgpt-basketball-merch-why\" data-seamless-analytics=\"{&quot;page_view_type&quot;:&quot;Standard&quot;,&quot;is_seamless_page&quot;:true,&quot;template&quot;:&quot;article&quot;,&quot;content_type&quot;:&quot;article&quot;,&quot;split_test_identifier&quot;:null,&quot;split_test_variant&quot;:null,&quot;object_uuid&quot;:&quot;005FpNyWsNOcAnjoNZjt9Jf&quot;,&quot;object_type&quot;:&quot;article&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Why is OpenAI selling a $70 ChatGPT basketball?&quot;,&quot;canonical_url&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/mashable.com\/life\/openai-chatgpt-basketball-merch-why&quot;,&quot;full_published_date&quot;:&quot;07\/16\/2026&quot;,&quot;original_published_date&quot;:&quot;07\/16\/2026&quot;,&quot;channel_name&quot;:&quot;Life&quot;,&quot;focus_keyword&quot;:&quot;openai basketball products merchandise&quot;,&quot;job_function&quot;:&quot;News Hit&quot;,&quot;level_of_effort&quot;:&quot;One to four hours&quot;,&quot;story_flags&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;content_source_name&quot;:&quot;Internal&quot;,&quot;video_show_name&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;content_source_type&quot;:&quot;Internal&quot;,&quot;author_name&quot;:&quot;Olivia Tauber&quot;,&quot;day_published&quot;:16,&quot;month_published&quot;:7,&quot;year_published&quot;:2026,&quot;days_since_updated&quot;:0,&quot;weeks_since_updated&quot;:0,&quot;days_since_originally_published&quot;:0,&quot;weeks_since_originally_published&quot;:0,&quot;categories&quot;:&quot;Digital Culture&quot;,&quot;sections&quot;:&quot;Life,Digital Culture&quot;,&quot;tags&quot;:&quot;sports,openai&quot;,&quot;post_lead_type&quot;:&quot;Alt Image Lead&quot;}\">\n<div class=\"mx-auto max-w-5xl lg:px-8 lg:mx-auto\">\n<header class=\" max-w-7xl z-10 px-4 mt-8 text-primary-400 font-sans mx-auto\">\n<div class=\"flex flex-wrap subtitle-2 \">\n<div class=\"max-w-3xl\">\n<section>\n<div class=\"text-gray-700 subtitle-2 text-uppercase\"><a href=\"https:\/\/mashable.com\" aria-label=\"Navigate to the Home page\">Home<\/a><span class=\"ml-1\">&gt;<\/span><a class=\"ml-1 \" href=\"https:\/\/mashable.com\/life\" aria-label=\"Navigate to the Life category\">Life<\/a><span class=\"ml-1\">&gt;<\/span><a class=\"ml-1 \" href=\"https:\/\/mashable.com\/category\/digital-culture\" aria-label=\"Navigate to the Digital Culture category\">Digital Culture<\/a><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h1 class=\"mt-4 header-100 leading-tight max-w-5xl \">Why is OpenAI selling a $70 ChatGPT basketball?<\/h1>\n<div class=\"mt-2 leading-tight md:leading-normal text-xl max-w-4xl \">ChatGPT wants to be in your closet, too.<\/div>\n<div class=\"w-full relative z-10 items-center subtitle-2 mt-8 text-left md:flex md:flex-wrap md:items-center md:space-x-8 \">\n<div class=\"flex relative\">\n                                        \u00a0By\u00a0<\/p>\n<div class=\"inline-block md:relative\" aria-describedby=\"flyout\"><a href=\"https:\/\/mashable.com\/author\/olivia-tauber\" class=\"underline-link\">Olivia Tauber<\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"absolute left-0 z-top mt-2 md:left-auto md:top-[calc(100%_+_16px)] md:-mt-2\" id=\"flyout\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-label=\"Author Bio Flyout\">\n<div class=\"w-96 max-w-[calc(100vw_-_42px)] bg-white px-4 py-6 md:max-w-[calc(100vw_-_32px)]\">\n<div class=\"flex flex-col items-center md:flex-row md:mb-2 md:space-x-8\">\n<div class=\"flex flex-col justify-center items-center space-y-4 text-center md:flex-row md:justify-start md:space-y-0 md:space-x-3 md:text-left\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"w-14 h-14 rounded-full border border-gray-300\" src=\"https:\/\/helios-i.mashable.com\/imagery\/authors\/04jmnrKTpSW5v1P5zebCqBh\/image.fill.size_700x576.v1781707766.png\" alt=\"Mashable Image\" width=\"700\" height=\"576\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex flex-col space-y-1\">\n<div class=\"text-2xl font-semibold leading-tight\">Olivia Tauber<\/div>\n<div class=\"text-lg !mt-0\">Deputy Digital Culture Editor<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"mt-2 mb-2 font-normal md:mt-0 line-clamp-7\">\n                Olivia Tauber is the deputy editor of digital culture, covering creators, media, movies, beauty, and more. Based in New York, her work has appeared in The New York Times, Vanity Fair, The Cut, Teen Vogue, Complex, and Interview Magazine. She holds a Master&#8217;s degree in Journalism from NYU and a Bachelor&#8217;s from the University of Michigan. She also runs Fan Mail, a weekly pop-culture newsletter.\n            <\/div>\n<p><a class=\"text-[.875rem] !text-secondary-300 underline\" data-module=\"author-byline\" data-item=\"author-list\" data-element=\"author-name\" data-position=\"1\" href=\"https:\/\/mashable.com\/author\/olivia-tauber\" aria-label=\"&apos;s Full Author Bio\">Read Full Bio<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>                                                                                                                            \u00a0on\u00a0<time datetime=\"Thu, 16 Jul 2026 19:09:37 +0000\">July 16, 2026<\/time><\/div>\n<div class=\"flex flex-initial content-start mt-4 text-base md:mt-0\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmashable.com%2Flife%2Fopenai-chatgpt-basketball-merch-why\" data-ga-element=\"social-share-link\" data-ga-action=\"social_share_link\" data-ga-position=\"1\" data-ga-label=\"facebook\" data-ga-click aria-label=\"Facebook Share\" class=\"pr-3 hover:text-primary-400\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"(opens in a new window)\"><span class=\"sr-only\">Share on Facebook<\/span><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmashable.com%2Flife%2Fopenai-chatgpt-basketball-merch-why&amp;text=Why+is+OpenAI+selling+a+%2470+ChatGPT+basketball%3F\" data-ga-element=\"social-share-link\" data-ga-action=\"social_share_link\" data-ga-position=\"2\" data-ga-label=\"twitter\" data-ga-click aria-label=\"Twitter Share\" class=\"px-3 hover:text-primary-400\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"(opens in a new window)\"><span class=\"sr-only\">Share on Twitter<\/span><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/share.flipboard.com\/bookmarklet\/popout?v=2&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fmashable.com%2Flife%2Fopenai-chatgpt-basketball-merch-why&amp;title=Why+is+OpenAI+selling+a+%2470+ChatGPT+basketball%3F\" data-ga-element=\"social-share-link\" data-ga-action=\"social_share_link\" data-ga-position=\"3\" data-ga-label=\"flipboard\" data-ga-click aria-label=\"Flipboard Share\" class=\"px-3 hover:text-primary-400\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"(opens in a new window)\"><span class=\"sr-only\">Share on Flipboard<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"mx-auto max-w-5xl lg:px-8 lg:mx-auto\">\n<div class=\"max-w-7xl px-4 mt-10 text-primary-400 font-sans mx-auto\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"w-full\" src=\"https:\/\/helios-i.mashable.com\/imagery\/articles\/005FpNyWsNOcAnjoNZjt9Jf\/hero-image.fill.size_1248x702.v1784225790.jpg\" alt=\"In this photo illustration, an OpenAI logo is seen displayed on a smartphone on the top of a laptop.\" width=\"1248\" height=\"702\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"mt-2 leading-none text-left\"><span class=\"font-sans text-gray-600 subtitle-2\">Credit: Omar Marques\/Getty Images<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"px-4 mx-auto max-w-7xl\">\n<hr class=\"mt-12 border-gray-100 border-top\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<section id=\"article\" data-autopogo class=\"mt-8 font-serif editor-content\">\n<p>OpenAI now wants a place in your browser, on your desk, in your closet, and, for $70, on your local basketball court.<\/p>\n<p>The company behind ChatGPT is <a href=\"https:\/\/openai.com\/supply\/product\/chatgpt-basketball\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-ga-click=\"1\" data-ga-label=\"$text\" data-ga-item=\"text-link\" data-ga-module=\"content_body\" title=\"(opens in a new window)\">selling a branded basketball<\/a> through <a href=\"https:\/\/openai.com\/supply\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-ga-click=\"1\" data-ga-label=\"$text\" data-ga-item=\"text-link\" data-ga-module=\"content_body\" title=\"(opens in a new window)\">Supply Co.<\/a>, its expanding online shop for clothing, collectibles, desk accessories, and limited-edition hardware.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"500\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">You don\u2019t have to wait.<\/p>\n<p>Merch inspired by research &amp; deployment.<\/p>\n<p>Available until sold out.<a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/Ls79n9OfZ0\">https:\/\/t.co\/Ls79n9OfZ0<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/lV8WxyZ7yc\">https:\/\/t.co\/lV8WxyZ7yc<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; OpenAI (@OpenAI) <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/OpenAI\/status\/2077430470510526635?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">July 15, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.x.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>On its own, the product is an unusual piece of tech-company merchandise. Alongside OpenAI\u2019s growing catalog, it is easier to understand as part of the company\u2019s effort to build recognizable physical products around ChatGPT, <a href=\"https:\/\/mashable.com\/tech\/openai-first-physical-release-is-micro-keyboard\" target=\"_blank\" data-ga-click=\"1\" data-ga-label=\"$text\" data-ga-item=\"text-link\" data-ga-module=\"content_body\">Codex<\/a>, and its research culture.<\/p>\n<div class=\"mx-auto mt-8 mb-12 w-full max-w-3xl font-sans md:mt-12 md:mb-16 text-primary-400\">\n<div class=\"flex flex-row justify-center text-lg text-center md:text-xl\">\n<hr class=\"mx-auto border border-gray-100\"><strong class=\"py-4 mx-4 w-full min-w-max text-2xl\">You May Also Like<\/strong><\/p>\n<hr class=\"mx-auto border border-gray-100\"><\/div>\n<hr class=\"mx-auto w-full border border-gray-100\"><\/div>\n<p>The $70 ChatGPT basketball is part of \u201cPause. Play. Prompt.,\u201d a campaign that argues creativity need not remain on a screen. OpenAI describes the ball as a reminder to step away from technology and suggests that good ideas can arrive between pickup games.<\/p>\n<p>But it&#8217;s also just a functional basketball. The standard Size 7 ball is made entirely of rubber and contains no artificial intelligence, sensors, an internet connection, or any other technology.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"500\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">genuinely what is the target demographic <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/FHRV54VUCO\">pic.twitter.com\/FHRV54VUCO<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; kalomaze (@kalomaze) <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/kalomaze\/status\/2077641388167242029?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">July 16, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.x.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"500\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Imagine having world\u2011class models and deciding the next big move is\u2026 sporting goods.<a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/5ZWIpD6i50\">https:\/\/t.co\/5ZWIpD6i50<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/HEcXdOXh09\">https:\/\/t.co\/HEcXdOXh09<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/7YTPkXrb0W\">pic.twitter.com\/7YTPkXrb0W<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; \ud835\udc38\ud835\udcc1\ud835\udcc1\ud835\udc5c\ud835\udcae\ud835\udcca\ud835\udcc3\ud835\udcc8\ud835\udcbd\ud835\udcbe\ud835\udcc3\ud835\udc52\u2600\ufe0f (@ElloSunsh1ne) <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/ElloSunsh1ne\/status\/2077799783046004841?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">July 16, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.x.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>The question on most people&#8217;s minds \u2014 according to social media, at least \u2014 is: why is OpenAI selling this in the first place?<\/p>\n<h2>OpenAI is building a lifestyle shop<\/h2>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"500\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">whoa new OpenAi merch store dropped with an actual lifestyle photoshoot <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/q3peKHVFUc\">pic.twitter.com\/q3peKHVFUc<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Karine Hsu (@karine_hsu) <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/karine_hsu\/status\/2077442751478837326?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">July 15, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.x.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>The answer begins with Supply Co., which, according to its home page, &#8220;documents the visual culture surrounding intelligent systems.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>The brand started as a small merchandise operation for OpenAI employees. <a href=\"https:\/\/openai.com\/supply\/about\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-ga-click=\"1\" data-ga-label=\"$text\" data-ga-item=\"text-link\" data-ga-module=\"content_body\" title=\"(opens in a new window)\">According to the company<\/a>, workers became unusually enthusiastic about collectible cards, graphic hoodies, and blue folding chairs. OpenAI says those objects eventually became \u201cmaterial embodiments of company culture.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Supply Co.&#8217;s next phase is described as a mix of \u201ccollaborations, experiments, and physical expressions of research energy,\u201d broad language that leaves room for more than just shirts bearing a corporate logo. The online reaction to the product line is mixed. <\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"500\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">who asked for this? who wants to go around wearing openai merch? <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/OWZ2j0jIkS\">https:\/\/t.co\/OWZ2j0jIkS<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; ophelia (@ophoelia) <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/ophoelia\/status\/2077804649944621360?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">July 16, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.x.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"500\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Huge respect to whoever worked on this. Tired of seeing corporate merch which is genuinely corporate<\/p>\n<p>Why it&#39;s always a logo + the brand typeface slapped somewhere, and that&#39;s it<\/p>\n<p>These pieces actually have that elevated sporty aesthetic you&#39;d expect from brands people wear\u2026 <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/kKvjw61sXc\">https:\/\/t.co\/kKvjw61sXc<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Mary Charkina (@charmyjou) <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/charmyjou\/status\/2077746152858960141?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">July 16, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.x.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"500\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"ja\" dir=\"ltr\">Open AI official goods\u304c\u53ef\u611b\u904e\u304e\u3066\u5927\u91cf\u306b\u8cfc\u5165\u3002\u7279\u306b\u30d0\u30b9\u30b1\u30c3\u30c8\u30dc\u30fc\u30eb\u3084\u3070\u3044\u3002\u30d0\u30b9\u30b1\u30d5\u30a1\u30f3\u306e\u6211\u304c\u5bb6\u306b\u30d4\u30c3\u30bf\u30ea\u3002<\/p>\n<p>Codex Creator Micro\u3082\u697d\u3057\u307f\u3002\u3059\u3067\u306b\u30ad\u30fc\u30dc\u30fc\u30c9\u3067\u4f3c\u305f\u3088\u3046\u306a\u4ed5\u7d44\u307f\u306f\u3042\u308b\u3051\u308c\u3069\u3001\u66f4\u306b\u6700\u9069\u5316\u3057\u305f\u4f7f\u3044\u65b9\u304c\u3067\u304d\u308b\u3068\u3044\u3044\u306a\u3002<a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/OpenAI?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@OpenAI<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/dbB0d0nD8a\">https:\/\/t.co\/dbB0d0nD8a<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/jhpV7C2JXO\">pic.twitter.com\/jhpV7C2JXO<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; \u52a0\u8cc0\u8c37\u96bc\u8f14 kagshun\uff5c\u7cbe\u795e\u79d1\u533b\u30fbAI\u00d7\u30e1\u30f3\u30bf\u30eb\u30d8\u30eb\u30b9\u7814\u7a76 (@KagayaMD_AI) <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/KagayaMD_AI\/status\/2077541082397921568?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">July 15, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.x.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"500\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Imagine not being at OpenAI and buying this shit. Like brother what <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/THVtacSkk3\">https:\/\/t.co\/THVtacSkk3<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Daniel (@growing_daniel) <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/growing_daniel\/status\/2077570894487294423?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">July 16, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.x.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"500\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">It is sort of interesting in the wider discussion about whether or not AI can create anything new that this photoshoot creative is mostly referencing a menswear editorial style that was popular and felt fresh 2-3 years ago. <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/7ys9PLyW7r\">https:\/\/t.co\/7ys9PLyW7r<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Teddy (T.M.) Brown (@TM_Brown) <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/TM_Brown\/status\/2077710222974460206?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">July 16, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.x.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/openai.com\/supply\/shop\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-ga-click=\"1\" data-ga-label=\"$text\" data-ga-item=\"text-link\" data-ga-module=\"content_body\" title=\"(opens in a new window)\">The current shop<\/a> includes a $40 &#8220;Good Research&#8221; T-shirt, a $50 ChatGPT long-sleeve shirt, a $100 Codex hoodie, a $40 Blossom hat, and matching $15 socks. Customers can also buy a $45 embroidered tote featuring Bloop, one of OpenAI\u2019s cartoon characters, and a $25 Nalgene bottle covered in pixelated graphics.<\/p>\n<section aria-label=\"Newsletter Sign-Up\" class=\"relative invisible my-12 mx-auto w-full max-w-3xl md:my-16 ziff-component accent-cut-for-gradient-bg accent-cut-border-for-gradient-bg bg-gradient-fuchsia-secondary p-[2px]\">\n<div class=\"absolute left-8 px-2 font-sans text-lg font-bold leading-8 bg-white top-[-15px]\"><span class=\"text-gradient-fuchsia-secondary\">Mashable Trend Report<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"p-8 bg-white md:p-10\">\n<div class=\"flex flex-col mx-auto font-sans\" data-ga-impression data-ga-category=\"newsletters\" data-ga-module=\"incontent_nl_signup\" data-ga-label=\"trend-report\">\n<div class=\"font-bold leading-tight text-left md:leading-8 header-300\">Decode what\u2019s viral, what\u2019s next, and what it all means.<\/div>\n<div class=\"mt-2 leading-tight text-left bg-white md:mt-0 md:leading-8 header-600\">Sign up for Mashable\u2019s weekly Trend Report newsletter.<\/div>\n<div class=\"mt-4 font-sans text-xs leading-normal text-left subtitle-1\">\n                    By clicking Sign Me Up, you confirm you are 16+ and agree to our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ziffdavis.com\/terms-of-use\" class=\"underline text-secondary-300 hover:text-primary-400\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"(opens in a new window)\">Terms of Use<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ziffdavis.com\/ztg-privacy-policy\" class=\"underline text-secondary-300 hover:text-primary-400\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"(opens in a new window)\">Privacy Policy<\/a>.\n                <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"py-1 mx-auto max-w-xl text-center\">\n<div class=\"header-300\">Thanks for signing up!<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p>For anyone hoping to dress like an especially well-funded graduate student, there is the $175 Research Half Zip. The Portuguese cotton fleece sweater has the word \u201cresearch\u201d embroidered across its chest and a crisp collar that OpenAI says &#8220;reminisces on our days in academia.&#8221; It lands somewhere between university apparel and a startup office uniform.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"500\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">You can have the best \u201clifestyle\u201d photoshoot in the world, at the end of the day we\u2019re looking at logo crew socks, a branded graphic tote, and a quarter zip that says \u201cresearch\u201d <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/5qYox1Z85v\">https:\/\/t.co\/5qYox1Z85v<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Max Tani (@maxwelltani) <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/maxwelltani\/status\/2077593491031433536?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">July 16, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.x.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>The current selection is relatively restrained compared with its <a href=\"https:\/\/openai.com\/supply\/archive\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-ga-click=\"1\" data-ga-label=\"$text\" data-ga-item=\"text-link\" data-ga-module=\"content_body\" title=\"(opens in a new window)\">archive<\/a>. OpenAI has previously produced a rice cooker, dinner plates, a wooden checkerboard, a tape measure, earplugs, a hair claw, a Raspberry Pi kit, a soccer jersey, active shorts, flying discs, folding chairs, and an earlier basketball featuring its Blossom design.<\/p>\n<h2>Codex gets its own physical controller<\/h2>\n<p>Elsewhere in the same shop, OpenAI is selling a device that links to its actual software.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"500\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Getting Codex to use my phone to do something on an app still blows my mind<\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Pauline P. Narvas (@paw_lean) <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/paw_lean\/status\/2077348163191443690?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">July 15, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.x.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/openai.com\/supply\/co-lab\/work-louder\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-ga-click=\"1\" data-ga-label=\"$text\" data-ga-item=\"text-link\" data-ga-module=\"content_body\" title=\"(opens in a new window)\">Codex Micro <\/a>is a $230 desktop controller created with Work Louder, a boutique hardware company known for customizable mechanical keyboards and shortcut devices. OpenAI describes it as a \u201ccommand center for agentic work.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The controller is built for people using Codex, OpenAI\u2019s coding agent, to manage several tasks at once. Its illuminated Agent Keys indicate whether an agent is thinking, running, waiting, or finished, while a joystick launches common workflows such as reviewing pull requests, debugging errors, and refactoring code.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"500\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Meet kbd-1.0-codex-micro, built with <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/work_louder?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@work_louder<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Map the buttons and joystick to your workflow, and keep your pinned chats in view.<\/p>\n<p>Get yours before stock returns 410. <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/MGQQ1ISW0l\">pic.twitter.com\/MGQQ1ISW0l<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; OpenAI Developers (@OpenAIDevs) <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/OpenAIDevs\/status\/2077425991790870644?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">July 15, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.x.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>Other controls let users accept or reject changes, start a new chat, record spoken instructions, and adjust the amount of reasoning Codex applies to a task. The device connects through Bluetooth or USB-C, works with Mac and Windows computers, and was offered with either clicky or silent mechanical switches before selling out.<\/p>\n<div class=\"related-stories\" data-ga-impression data-ga-module=\"related_stories\" data-ga-element=\"related_stories_link\" data-ga-item=\"title\">\n<div class=\"flex flex-row items-center\">\n<hr>\n<div class=\"px-4 mx-auto mt-0 w-full max-w-3xl font-sans text-2xl font-bold tracking-normal leading-normal text-center whitespace-nowrap shrink\">Related Stories<\/div>\n<hr>\n<\/div>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/mashable.com\/tech\/openai-first-physical-release-is-micro-keyboard\" data-ga-click data-ga-label=\"$text\" data-ga-action=\"related_stories\" data-ga-position=\"1\">OpenAI&#8217;s first physical device is here, and it&#8217;s not what we expected<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/mashable.com\/tech\/openai-chatgpt-smart-speaker-leak\" data-ga-click data-ga-label=\"$text\" data-ga-action=\"related_stories\" data-ga-position=\"2\">OpenAI&#8217;s smart speaker sounds like a cross between a HomePod and a Furby<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/mashable.com\/life\/ai-overuse-ick-relationships-dating\" data-ga-click data-ga-label=\"$text\" data-ga-action=\"related_stories\" data-ga-position=\"3\">Is ChatGPT ruining your attraction to your partner?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/mashable.com\/life\/july-5-sterling-stock-picker-lifetime-subscription\" data-ga-click data-ga-label=\"$text\" data-ga-action=\"related_stories\" data-ga-position=\"4\">This ChatGPT-powered smart investing app helps you pick ideal stocks for your portfolio<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/mashable.com\/tech\/visa-chatgpt-agents-automatic-purchases\" data-ga-click data-ga-label=\"$text\" data-ga-action=\"related_stories\" data-ga-position=\"5\">Visa is connecting with ChatGPT to let AI agents automatically make purchases<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<p>Codex Micro is unlikely to become a mainstream consumer product. It is aimed at people who already use AI agents heavily enough to benefit from dedicated physical controls.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"500\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">I like this OpenAI hardware but it looks exactly like an iPhone box <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/Sly7Rzp3VC\">pic.twitter.com\/Sly7Rzp3VC<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Diego | AI \ud83d\ude80 &#8211; e\/acc (@diegocabezas01) <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/diegocabezas01\/status\/2077468620574089470?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">July 15, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.x.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"500\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">You can now order the Codex Micro online! This is a limited run, so don\u2019t sleep on it. <br \/>I\u2019ve been building and refining the in app experience for a while and having Codex IRL as a keyboard feel so good! <br \/>Such a fun collaboration with <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/work_louder?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@work_louder<\/a>!<a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/cWg9S4OpMN\">https:\/\/t.co\/cWg9S4OpMN<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/1iXVSNh5EO\">pic.twitter.com\/1iXVSNh5EO<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Thomas Ricouard (@Dimillian) <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/Dimillian\/status\/2077426293386207648?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">July 15, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.x.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>Still, it provides a more concrete example of how OpenAI wants its software to extend beyond an app.<\/p>\n<h2>OpenAI also wants to bring ChatGPT into the home<\/h2>\n<p>According to a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2026-07-14\/openai-s-first-device-will-be-moveable-screenless-speaker-built-as-ai-companion\" target=\"_blank\" data-ga-click=\"1\" data-ga-label=\"$text\" data-ga-item=\"text-link\" data-ga-module=\"content_body\" title=\"(opens in a new window)\">July 14 <em>Bloomberg <\/em>report<\/a>, OpenAI is also developing a portable device that reportedly looks like a smart speaker but has no screen. It could answer questions, play media, respond to messages, and control smart-home devices using ChatGPT.<\/p>\n<p>Cameras and sensors would help it understand what is happening around the user, rather than relying only on spoken commands. That would make it similar to an Amazon Echo, Google Home, or Apple HomePod, but with more awareness of its surroundings.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"500\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">OpenAI deciding which hardware device to launch <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/5G5rpC669t\">https:\/\/t.co\/5G5rpC669t<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/ncIQpkcuGa\">pic.twitter.com\/ncIQpkcuGa<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; litquidity (@litcapital) <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/litcapital\/status\/2077147911100485792?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">July 14, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.x.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"500\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Threadguy explains why an OpenAI speaker is actually the best product choice<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI think their options are fairly limited because people only have one phone. You&#39;re not gonna be able to convince people to change their phone\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cA speaker is sort of a dark horse pick. Everybody has\u2026 <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/TVoK5TXfDw\">pic.twitter.com\/TVoK5TXfDw<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Jack (@Jackkk) <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/Jackkk\/status\/2077527990632853507?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">July 15, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.x.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>OpenAI has spent heavily on the project. In 2025, it <a href=\"https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/business\/openai-acquire-jony-ives-hardware-startup-io-products-2025-05-21\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-ga-click=\"1\" data-ga-label=\"$text\" data-ga-item=\"text-link\" data-ga-module=\"content_body\" title=\"(opens in a new window)\">acquired<\/a> Jony Ive&#8217;s device startup, io, for about $6.5 billion, and Ive\u2019s design studio, LoveFrom, is helping build the product alongside OpenAI researchers, engineers, and former Apple employees.<\/p>\n<p>Those Apple ties are now part of a lawsuit. <a href=\"https:\/\/mashable.com\/life\/apple-openai-lawsuit-allegations\" target=\"_blank\" data-ga-click=\"1\" data-ga-label=\"$text\" data-ga-item=\"text-link\" data-ga-module=\"content_body\">Apple claims OpenAI used confidential information<\/a> to speed up its hardware plans, while OpenAI says it has no interest in Apple\u2019s trade secrets. The allegations have not been proven, and the device still has no announced design, price, or release date.<\/p>\n<p>What&#8217;s clear is that while the company may still live mostly on screens, its products are starting to show up just about everywhere else.<\/p>\n<section class=\"mx-auto max-w-7xl\">\n<div class=\"flex flex-wrap mt-8 w-full font-sans subtitle-2 editor-content\">\n<p><span class=\"mr-1.5 font-sans font-bold\">Topics<\/span><a class=\"underline-link hover:no-underline text-secondary-300 mr-1.5\" href=\"https:\/\/mashable.com\/category\/sports\" aria-label=\"Navigate to the Sports tag\" data-ga-click data-ga-label=\"$text\">Sports<\/a><a class=\"underline-link hover:no-underline text-secondary-300 \" href=\"https:\/\/mashable.com\/category\/openai\" aria-label=\"Navigate to the OpenAI tag\" data-ga-click data-ga-label=\"$text\">OpenAI<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"mx-auto mt-12 max-w-3xl border-t border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<div class=\"py-8 w-full\">\n<div class=\"flex flex-col items-center pb-8 border-b border-gray-200 md:flex-row md:space-x-8\">\n<div class=\"flex flex-col justify-center items-center space-y-4 text-center md:flex-row md:justify-start md:space-y-0 md:space-x-6 md:text-left\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"w-24 h-24 rounded-full border border-gray-200\" src=\"https:\/\/helios-i.mashable.com\/imagery\/authors\/04jmnrKTpSW5v1P5zebCqBh\/image.fill.size_100x100.v1781707766.png\" alt=\"Mashable Image\" width=\"100\" height=\"100\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex flex-col space-y-2\">\n<div class=\"w-full font-bold header-200\">Olivia Tauber<\/div>\n<div class=\"w-full text-xl font-bold\">Deputy Digital Culture Editor<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"mx-0 max-w-3xl font-serif editor-content\">\n<p>Olivia Tauber is the deputy editor of digital culture, covering creators, media, movies, beauty, and more. Based in New York, her work has appeared in The New York Times, Vanity Fair, The Cut, Teen Vogue, Complex, and Interview Magazine. She holds a Master&#8217;s degree in Journalism from NYU and a Bachelor&#8217;s from the University of Michigan. She also runs Fan Mail, a weekly pop-culture newsletter.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<div class=\"my-16 mx-auto max-w-xl text-center\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"mx-auto\" src=\"https:\/\/mashable.com\/images\/seamless-keep-scrolling.png\" alt=\"Mashable Potato\"><\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/mashable.com\/life\/openai-chatgpt-basketball-merch-why&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/helios-i.mashable.com\/imagery\/articles\/005FpNyWsNOcAnjoNZjt9Jf\/hero-image.fill.size_1200x675.v1784225790.jpg&#8221;] Home&gt;Life&gt;Digital Culture Why is OpenAI selling a $70 ChatGPT basketball? ChatGPT wants to be in your closet, too. \u00a0By\u00a0 Olivia Tauber Olivia Tauber Deputy Digital Culture Editor Olivia Tauber is the deputy editor of digital culture, covering creators, media, movies, beauty, and more. Based in New York, her work has appeared in [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[226,75],"class_list":["post-2046974","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-politics","tag-crawlmanager","tag-mashable-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2046974","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2046974"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2046974\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2046974"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2046974"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2046974"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}