OpenAI and Jony Ive’s First AI Device Isn’t a Wearable
▼ Summary
– OpenAI and Jony Ive’s first AI device won’t be an in-ear or wearable product, according to court filings from io, OpenAI’s acquired hardware team.
– The device is at least a year away from release, with its design still not finalized, as stated by io’s chief hardware officer Tang Tan.
– OpenAI had to remove public references to the io brand due to a temporary restraining order from audio startup Iyo, which claims trademark infringement.
– Evidence shows OpenAI and io explored various form factors, including headphones, but their first product will not be in this category.
– Sam Altman declined an investment offer from Iyo, hinting at competitive plans, while internal emails reveal io considered ear ergonomics for potential designs.
The first AI hardware collaboration between OpenAI and famed designer Jony Ive won’t take the form of wearable technology, according to recent legal filings. Court documents reveal their initial product won’t be an earpiece or any other body-worn device, with a projected launch date no earlier than 2026.
Details emerged from a trademark dispute involving OpenAI’s newly acquired hardware division, io, purchased from Ive’s design firm for $6.5 billion. Tang Tan, io’s chief hardware officer and former Apple executive, clarified in sworn testimony that while prototypes exist, the design remains unfinished and explicitly excludes wearables. The legal battle forced OpenAI to temporarily remove public mentions of the io brand after audio startup Iyo obtained a restraining order, alleging trademark infringement.
Evidence submitted shows OpenAI extensively researched audio devices before settling on a different direction. Internal emails reveal the team purchased dozens of headphones and earbuds during early development phases. One message from OpenAI CEO Sam Altman declined an investment opportunity from Iyo, stating he was “working on something competitive.” Another exchange discussed obtaining 3D ear scans for ergonomic studies, suggesting the company initially explored wearable concepts before shifting focus.
While the exact nature of OpenAI’s debut hardware remains undisclosed, the filings confirm it will occupy a distinct category separate from existing wearable tech. The project represents one of the most anticipated collaborations in consumer electronics, merging Ive’s iconic design sensibility with OpenAI’s artificial intelligence expertise. Industry watchers continue speculating whether the device will integrate with OpenAI’s existing AI models or introduce entirely new functionality.
The case also highlights the competitive tensions in AI hardware development, where multiple startups and tech giants race to define the next generation of intelligent devices. With prototypes still in flux and legal hurdles adding complexity, the final product’s unveiling promises to reshape expectations for how artificial intelligence interacts with physical objects in daily life.
(Source: The Verge)
