OpenAI & Jony Ive’s AI Device: Not Wearable, Delayed to 2026
Recent court documents have shed light on the features of OpenAI’s first artificial intelligence device, a project developed in collaboration with Jony Ive, the legendary designer behind many iconic Apple products like the iPhone and iPad.
New information confirms the device will neither be wearable nor feature an earpiece, and its release is not anticipated before 2026.
This ambiguity surfaces as OpenAI faces a trademark lawsuit over “io” from “Iyo,” an audio hardware startup reportedly spun out of Google’s moonshot factory.
The dispute has compelled OpenAI to remove any mention of the “io” brand from its platforms.
Tang Tan, a key figure in the “io” team acquired by OpenAI (a team that includes design expertise from Ive’s firm, LoveFrom), stated that the device’s design is not yet finalized but is definitively not a wearable.
Speculation suggests the device might be pocket-sized or designed for a desk, potentially relying on cameras and microphones rather than traditional screens.
OpenAI holds significant ambitions for this project, with CEO Sam Altman aiming to sell millions of units.
Jony Ive, for his part, described the project as an inspiring endeavor aimed at offering users a better technological experience that moves beyond a complete reliance on screens.
The lawsuit filed by “Iyo” asserts rights to the “io” trademark, contending that OpenAI and Ive’s team were aware of its existence and its innovative product, which “Iyo” described as “the world’s first audio computer.”
As a result of this conflict, OpenAI was forced to remove promotional materials for “io,” while affirming the continuation of the nearly $6.5 billion deal to acquire the “io” team’s expertise for developing consumer AI devices.
While anticipation for this ambitious device continues to build, all eyes are on how OpenAI will navigate the current legal challenges and whether this unique collaboration will indeed yield an innovation that reshapes the landscape of personal technology.
