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Hans India
24-06-2025
- Business
- Hans India
OpenAI's First AI Device Won't Be Wearable, Launch Delayed to 2026
OpenAI's highly anticipated hardware collaboration with iconic designer Jony Ive is still a work in progress, and recent court documents have offered fresh insights. The device, OpenAI's first foray into physical products, won't be hitting the market before 2026 — and it's definitely not going to be something you wear. According to filings revealed amid a legal dispute with a Google-backed startup called iyO, OpenAI's upcoming AI gadget will neither be a wearable nor an in-ear device. That puts early speculation to rest, which had suggested something similar to smart glasses or the Humane AI Pin. Tang Tan, OpenAI's Chief Hardware Officer and a former Apple executive, stated in court, 'It is not an in-ear device, nor a wearable device.' Instead, the device is envisioned to be something that 'fits in your pocket or sits on your desk.' Tan also noted the design is still evolving and that the launch is at least a year away. That hints at a form factor potentially closer to a smart home assistant or portable desktop gadget. The project has been the subject of much intrigue since OpenAI acquired Jony Ive's company, IO Products, for $6.5 billion in May 2025. CEO Sam Altman reportedly told employees the device could become OpenAI's most important product ever, with an ambitious sales target of 100 million units. Despite denying any wearable intentions, internal communications suggest OpenAI was initially interested in ergonomic techniques like ear scanning, which iyO uses to customize its earpieces. One hardware team member even floated the idea of acquiring a database of ear scans. However, Tang Tan ultimately declined iyO's proposals to invest, collaborate, or buy the company for as much as $200 million. In a legal declaration, Evans Hankey, another ex-Apple executive leading design at OpenAI, reaffirmed: 'io has no current plans to offer a custom-moulded earpiece product.' Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has weighed in as well, suggesting that the mystery device may resemble the compact iPod Shuffle and could even be smaller than Humane's AI Pin. He added it likely won't include a screen, instead using built-in cameras and microphones to interact with the environment. Kuo believes the device will pair with smartphones and computers for processing and display, rather than operating entirely independently. He also noted that manufacturing will take place in Vietnam, potentially as a strategy to avoid geopolitical risks tied to China. Investor Laurene Powell Jobs, a backer of both Ive's ventures, reportedly previewed a prototype and described it as 'a wondrous thing to behold.' Ive himself shared that the device 'reignited his optimism about technology,' adding, 'humanity deserves better' than screen-heavy devices. OpenAI had previously shared promotional content about the partnership and acquisition, but it was quietly removed following the trademark complaint by iyO. A spokesperson for Jony Ive dismissed the trademark dispute as 'utterly baseless' and confirmed they plan to contest it in court.
India Today
24-06-2025
- Business
- India Today
OpenAI's first AI device with Jony Ive will not be a wearable, won't ship until at least 2026
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 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? 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 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 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 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 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
Tom's Guide
10-06-2025
- Tom's Guide
OpenAI's new device could replace your phone — here's what we know so far
We've seen what ChatGPT can do on a screen. But what happens when AI steps off the screen entirely? That's the question swirling around OpenAI's rumored upcoming device; a physical AI assistant designed in collaboration with legendary Apple designer Jony Ive and his hardware details are still under wraps, early rumors suggest this could be the beginning of an entirely new product category, and potentially a direct challenge to the role of smartphones in our lives. The first thing to know is that this device might not look anything like what you're used to. According to leaked reports, OpenAI's hardware concept is expected to be pocket-sized, screenless, and contextually aware, with microphones and cameras that let it 'see' and 'hear' your environment. Think of it as ChatGPT that follows you around, minus the screen fatigue. One version of the device is said to resemble an iPod Shuffle (remember that?) worn around your neck, with subtle touch or voice-based controls that could let you interact with OpenAI's models in real time. Whether you're walking down the street, cooking in your kitchen, or out running errands, the goal seems to be a more seamless, natural way to integrate AI into everyday life, but without needing to tap or type. If OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has his way, this device could eventually replace your smartphone entirely. While that may sound bold, it's part of a growing industry shift toward ambient computing, where AI assistants blend into the background and proactively help you, rather than waiting for you to open an app. And OpenAI isn't the only one betting on this future. Humane's AI Pin, Rabbit's R1, and Meta's Ray-Ban smart glasses have all staked claims on the idea that AI will soon become a wearable, conversational companion and go beyond smartphone apps. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. But OpenAI's advantage is clear: it's building on top of ChatGPT's massive capabilities, which already include vision, voice, memory and real-time reasoning. Combine that with Ive's design legacy (he helped shape the iPhone, iMac, and Apple Watch), and you've got a dream team capable of defining the next major tech category. We're still a couple years away. According to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the first OpenAI device is expected to debut in late 2026 or early 2027, with mass production possibly starting soon after. My industry research indicates the following regarding the new AI hardware device from Jony Ive's collaboration with OpenAI:1. Mass production is expected to start in 2027.2. Assembly and shipping will occur outside China to reduce geopolitical risks, with Vietnam currently the… 22, 2025 That gives OpenAI time to figure out not just the hardware, but also how users will actually want to interact with a screenless, AI-powered device. Will it whisper reminders in your ear? Will it help navigate traffic while you walk or bike? Could it even summarize your emails before you sit down at your desk? The details remain to be seen — but one thing is certain: OpenAI is going beyond making ChatGPT as an occasional tool, into something that feels human, wearable and ever-present. And if it succeeds, your next assistant might not live in your pocket, it might live around your neck or clipped to your t-shirt.
India Today
03-06-2025
- Business
- India Today
Jony Ive has already shown his OpenAI device to Laurene Powell Jobs and she is impressed
Laurene Powell Jobs has shared her quick review of the super-mysterious AI device that Jony Ive and Sam Altman are cooking. As an investor in both Ive's design firm LoveFrom and his AI hardware startup, io, which was recently bought by OpenAI for USD $6.5 billion, Powell Jobs got a first look into their development process. While not explicitly confirmed, she is believed to have had access to the prototyping stage, suggesting she might have seen the product in some form. Her takeaway: it is a 'wondrous thing to behold.'advertisementBoth Jony Ive and Sam Altman – especially Ive – have hyped up the product as something which is both larger than life and vastly different from current tech involving screens and invariably, distractions. And so, anticipation is growing since the duo hasn't shown anything yet, only going on to tease that they are working on a 'family' of devices, at least some of which are reported to be companion-types that users might take and use alongside their existing smartphones. Ive has said that the project has 'reignited his optimism about technology' and that 'humanity deserves better.'In a recent interview with the Financial Times, Powell Jobs described the ideation and prototyping process for the OpenAI device as a 'wondrous thing to behold,' seemingly suggesting it has left a positive first impression on the American billionaire businesswoman-philanthropist and the widow of Steve Jobs, the co-founder and former CEO of Some reports suggest the form factor might resemble an iPod Shuffle, something you could wear around the neck. Cameras and microphones onboard the device would make it contextually aware of its was a joint interview where Ive was also present, though he did not share any information about the device. What he – and Powell Jobs – did share was how the technology that he built, like the iPhone, also had a dark side, referring to the unintended but harmful effects of smartphone addiction, especially amongst the youth. Both Ive and Powell Jobs hope this new device can offer a more positive and human-centric approach. The first device in the family of OpenAI devices is expected to be rolled out sometime by late 2026.
Mint
23-05-2025
- Business
- Mint
OpenAI teams with Jony Ive on AI hardware? Here's what Ming-Chi Kuo reveals about the prototype
A new wave of excitement has been stirred in the tech world following reports of a collaboration between former Apple design chief Sir Jony Ive and OpenAI, the artificial intelligence company led by Sam Altman. The partnership centres around a sleek new AI-powered device, currently in the prototype stage, with plans for mass production by 2027. According to respected industry analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who shared details in a recent post on X, the prototype bears a form factor slightly larger than Humane's Ai Pin, a compact wearable computer that struggled to gain market traction. Despite its size, the device is expected to exhibit the same minimalist elegance as Apple's iconic iPod Shuffle. Designed for ambient intelligence, the device is said to include cameras and microphones for environmental awareness. This would enable contextual interactions when worn around the neck, without the need for a built-in screen. Instead, it would leverage smartphones and PCs for display and computational power, offering a seamless, interconnected AI experience. OpenAI and Ive's design firm, known as 'io,' are reportedly aiming to make the device an everyday essential, not a pair of smart glasses, but a compact, intelligent companion that could rest on a desk or be tucked into a pocket. Sam Altman is believed to have already showcased early concepts to OpenAI staff, describing it as a potential "third core device" to accompany a laptop and smartphone. To circumvent ongoing geopolitical tensions and avoid dependency on Chinese manufacturing, assembly and distribution are expected to take place in Vietnam. This shift aligns with a broader trend among tech companies seeking to diversify their supply chains due to increasing trade restrictions and rising tariffs between China and the United States. While the project remains in early development and final specifications are yet to be confirmed, industry watchers anticipate that the collaboration between Ive's legendary design sensibilities and OpenAI's artificial intelligence capabilities could set a new standard in personal computing.
