OpenAI's first AI device with Jony Ive will not be a wearable, won't ship until at least 2026

India Today

4 hours ago

OpenAI recently announced that it is working on its first-ever AI hardware device, which it is developing in partnership with legendary designer Jony Ive. Now, since the device is still in its early stages, we don't know yet what it would be. But thanks to some recent court filings, we know what it will not be.According to court documents that were spotted by TechCrunch, OpenAI's debut AI hardware product will not be a wearable or an in-ear gadget. The documents also reveal that the device is unlikely to launch before 2026. advertisementThe details have come to light amid a legal dispute between OpenAI and a Google-backed startup called iyO, which has filed a trademark complaint against the use of the 'io' name.
While the court fight over branding continues, the public filings have offered a rare glimpse into OpenAI's first hardware product. Despite early speculation that the device could take the form of smart glasses or something similar to the Humane AI Pin, OpenAI's Chief Hardware Officer Tang Tan has confirmed the product is 'not an in-ear device, nor a wearable device.' Tan, a former Apple executive, added in his statement to the court that the device's design is still evolving. He said it will be something that 'fits in your pocket or sits on your desk,' and that it's at least a year away from launch. Could it be a smart home device? Maybe.advertisementOpenAI has been hyping the project since it acquired Jony Ive's company IO Products for $6.5 billion, in May 2025. Altman has reportedly told OpenAI staff that the device could be the most significant product the company has ever launched, with a goal of selling 100 million units.Despite repeated claims that the device won't go in the ear or be worn, internal emails have reportedly shown that OpenAI was particularly curious about the ear-scanning process used by iyO to customise its earpieces. In fact, a member of OpenAI's hardware team apparently even suggested buying a database of ear scans from iyO's vendor as a 'helpful starting point on ergonomics.' However, Tan eventually rejected iyO's pitches to partner, invest, or even buy the company for up to $200 million.Evans Hankey, another former Apple executive now leading the design at OpenAI, made it clear in her court declaration: 'io has no current plans to offer a custom-moulded earpiece product.'Industry analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has also shared his predictions for the device. Last month, he shared a post saying that he believes the OpenAI hardware device will have a compact form factor – reminiscent of the iPod Shuffle – and might even be smaller than the Humane AI Pin. The device reportedly won't feature a screen but will rely on built-in cameras and microphones to understand its surroundings. That sounds like another hint that it could be similar to a smart home device? Something like an Amazon Echo Dot. advertisementAdditionally, Kuo predicts that instead of functioning independently, the device will connect to smartphones and computers for processing power and display use. Kuo also stated that OpenAI plans to assemble the product in Vietnam to avoid geopolitical tensions associated with Chinese manufacturing.Investor and philanthropist Laurene Powell Jobs, who supports both Jony Ive's design firm and IO Products, reportedly saw a prototype of the device and called it 'a wondrous thing to behold.' Ive himself has said the project has 'reignited his optimism about technology' and expressed that 'humanity deserves better' than current screen-based gadgets.OpenAI had initially published promotional material about the partnership and acquisition on its website, but this was quietly removed following the trademark complaint by iyO. The company confirmed the takedown was related to the ongoing legal case. A spokesperson for Ive called the complaint 'utterly baseless' and said they plan to contest it. - Ends