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I tried out OpenAI’s new AI keypad — which will be fun for some coders and slightly mystifying to everyone else
OpenAI launched its first piece of hardware last week — a fancy little keypad built to pair with ChatGPT. Micro, which was developed in collaboration with specialty keyboard designer Work Louder, is essentially an artisanal workplace novelty that many tech enthusiasts will love and that may leave everyone else a little puzzled.
OpenAI’s entrance into the hardware market hasn’t arrived without drama. Several weeks ago, Apple sued the AI lab and accused it of trade theft — kicking off what’s certain to be a long-simmering legal battle. Meanwhile, news of another smart home product in development at OpenAI has also raised eyebrows, as the supposed device — which is being built to pair with ChatGPT — was reportedly developed by former Apple engineers.
Until the legal battle works itself out and OpenAI’s broader hardware ambitions materialize, the most the startup has to offer is Micro — a funky little keypad clearly engineered to delight the tech industry’s code monkeys.
OpenAI sent TechCrunch a Micro test unit. The first big thing you notice when initially handling the keypad is that it’s a sturdy little device — enough so that if the AI accessory thing doesn’t end up working out, it could easily double as a paperweight. The other thing you might notice (and I am not the only one to point this out), is that the packaging — an immaculate white box with a sleek, clean aesthetic — is pretty Apple-coded. Make of that what you will.
The keypad’s layout involves six frosted “agent” keys at the top of the pad, which can be customized to carry out specific tasks within ChatGPT or its agentic coding tool Codex. Below them are six command keys, which can be used to control those programs. You can pair your Micro with your computer either through a Bluetooth connection or a USB cable.
Perhaps the most convenient thing Micro offers is a button for voice dictation — meaning you simply tell the app what you want done and it will get busy working on your behalf. Just hold down the dictation button and start talking. When you’re done, tap the “send” button next to it to submit your request.
You can customize your Micro keypad within ChatGPT itself, where a Micro tab allows you to adjust everything from the brightness of the light from the keys to the specific commands and projects you want tied to those keys.
Hard-core coders — the device’s actual target audience — haven’t exactly embraced it. Reviews by Redditors have largely negative, with one Reddit user calling it “a prank and not a real product,” and others saying serious coders won’t touch it. A review by the smaller independent outlet Aftermath was even harsher, calling the $230 price tag hard to justify next to cheaper DIY and off-the-shelf alternatives. (The title of that review: “OpenAI’s expensive macropad feels engineered to piss me off specifically.”)
It’s definitely the case that new users may need some time to figure out how Micro works and what to do with it.
Once I figured out how to program the keypad to my liking, I found it was actually pretty fun. You can assign various ChatGPT sessions to specific keys, which then allows you to easily toggle back and forth between all of your various projects. When you combine that with the dictation button, it makes the whole experience considerably more efficient and enjoyable.
But there’s still a learning curve. Micro’s buttons are color-coded. White means an agent is idle, blue means its thinking, green means a task is complete, and red means there’s been an error. You’ll need to memorize that, along with memorizing which specific projects are coded to each key.
The big question is whether the Micro keypad is functionally easier to use than just continuing to work on your laptop. In short: Why would I spend a week learning how to program and operate this thing when I already know how to use my computer’s mouse and keyboard?
Ultimately, your experience with the Micro will depend heavily on how much you use ChatGPT. Since I don’t use AI much day to day, I’m probably not the target audience for it.
That said, if you’re a ChatGPT power user, have $230 to spare, and like vintage-looking hardware with clicky buttons, Micro probably isn’t the worst purchase you could make — it might even brighten your day a little.
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Troops of the Nigerian Army have recovered 12 rifles and rescued 10 kidnap victims after three suspected terrorists expressed willingness to surrender in Kwara.
An operational report said the development followed sustained operations around Gbugbu Forest and adjoining communities in the state’s Edu Local Government Area.
The report said the three suspected terrorists, identified as Auta Ilori, Dan Karemi, and Ori Gambali, indicated willingness to surrender their weapons and release captives.
It said troops of the 22 Brigade, working with the State Security Service (SSS), engaged the suspects through their emissaries.
According to the report, the engagement led to the recovery of 12 rifles of different types and the rescue of 10 kidnap victims as the first stage of the surrender process.
The report said the rescued victims and recovered weapons were in military custody, while the surrender process remained ongoing.
“In a related development, troops of Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP) arrested a suspected armed robber at Bisichi Village in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau.
“The suspect was apprehended at about 7.05 p.m. on November 13 with an AK-47 rifle and 22 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition.
“Similarly, troops of the operation engaged suspected terrorists riding motorcycles along the Kukawa-Shuwaka-Yelwa Road in Wase Local Government Area.
“The troops neutralised one suspected terrorist and recovered two motorcycles and a mobile phone, while other members of the group fled,” it said.
The report said troops of Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) and the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) Composite Team arrested two suspected terrorist logistics couriers in Kwatan Mayo Renewo in Ardo-Kola Local Government Area of Taraba.
It said the suspects were allegedly responsible for transporting logistics, including weapons, across River Benue to a terrorist leader identified as Hayatu, operating around the Taraba-Plateau-Bauchi border.
According to the report, preliminary interrogation indicated that the suspects had repeatedly ferried weapons between Karim-Lamido and Ardo-Kola Local Government Areas.
“Troops recovered two mobile phones, a knife, suspected illicit substances, and N83,200 from them.
“In another operation, troops of 6 Brigade, working with the DIA team, raided the residence of a suspected arms courier in Wukari Local Government Area.
“The operation, conducted on November 13, led to the recovery of an AK-47 rifle following the suspect’s arrest in Jalingo on October 20,” it added.
The report said all arrested suspects and recovered items were in military custody for further action.
(NAN)
The Ogun State chapter of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, has insisted that the executive committee led by Otunba Oluwafemi Soluade remains the legitimate leadership of the party in the state.
The party warned against attempts to impose a caretaker committee or create parallel leadership structures, describing such moves as a threat to internal democracy and its constitution.
In a statement issued on Saturday by its Publicity Secretary, Adesina Olanrewaju, the chapter said no individual, regardless of political influence, had the authority to remove an existing leadership structure without following the party's constitutional procedures.
It specifically mentioned Chief Rauf Aregbesola, insisting that he and other individuals could not unilaterally impose a caretaker arrangement on the state chapter.
"Ogun State is not a political playground, neither is the ADC in Ogun State anybody's personal estate where decisions can be imposed through arrogance, intimidation or unilateral administrative pronouncements," the statement said.
The party maintained that its elected executive committee could not be dissolved simply because some individuals wanted a different leadership arrangement to serve their political interests.
It also warned that it would not recognise any parallel leadership structure created outside the party's constitution.
The chapter cited court decisions on disputes over caretaker committees and the tenure of elected party executives.
It referred to a Federal High Court judgment delivered in Abuja on April 29, 2026, in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/581/2026, which it said affirmed the tenure of ADC State Working and Executive Committees.
The party also said the Court of Appeal dismissed an appeal against the judgment in Appeal No. CA/ABJ/CV/608/2026.
It further cited a November 3, 2026 judgment of the Federal High Court in Ibadan, which declared the purported interim executive committee led by Afeez Adelowo Jimoh in Oyo State illegal and affirmed the four-year tenure of the Yinka Olona-led executive committee.
The Ogun chapter said the judgments reinforced the need for party leaders to respect constitutional provisions and court decisions.
It also cited Articles 2, 12, 13, 17 and 18 of the ADC Constitution, which deal with the supremacy of the party's constitution, the composition and functions of its organs, tenure of office and election of party officers.
"The judiciary is not a decoration. Court judgments are not political recommendations. The rule of law is not subject to anybody's personal interpretation or convenience," the statement added.
The chapter called on the national leadership of the ADC to intervene and prevent what it described as attempts to undermine the party's elected structure in Ogun State.
It also urged the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, and other stakeholders to respect existing court decisions and the party's constitutional provisions.
Ogun ADC insists on elected leadership, warns against political interference
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