OpenAI and legendary designer Jony Ive are working on their first AI device together, but recent legal filings show that the product will not be something you wear. Contrary to popular guesses about smart glasses or earbuds, the company clarified in court that the prototype in development is not an in-ear product or a wearable of any kind. The legal case that revealed this information involves a trademark dispute with iYO, a startup backed by Google, which believes OpenAI’s new hardware company, IO, has a name that is too similar. As part of the court process, OpenAI removed promotional content linked to io and provided key insights into the direction of the new device.
Tang Tan, one of the former Apple executives now leading hardware at io, stated in a legal declaration that the product is still being designed and is at least a year away from being advertised or sold. OpenAI’s CEO, Sam Altman, had earlier described the vision for the device as something that could sit on a desk or fit in a pocket, meant to work alongside a smartphone and a laptop. Instead of replacing existing gadgets, this new product aims to act as an intelligent third companion that understands your surroundings and offers useful support.
The court documents also show that OpenAI and io spent the past year exploring a wide range of hardware possibilities. They bought dozens of headphone sets, spoke to engineers, and even considered buying 3D ear scan data to understand ergonomics better. However, they made it clear that they are not building a custom-moulded earpiece or anything similar. Their meetings with iYO, which led to the lawsuit, were mostly exploratory, and OpenAI turned down multiple offers to invest in or acquire iYO’s technology.
What stands out in this story is OpenAI’s broader ambition. Rather than rushing to release another headset or smart device, the company is taking its time to rethink how AI can fit more naturally into daily life. The collaboration with Jony Ive signals a strong focus on design, simplicity, and function. While other tech companies are pushing for smart glasses or wearable assistants, OpenAI seems more interested in creating something that blends into the background but still delivers intelligent help when you need it.
Although the final shape of the device remains unknown, one thing is clear: it will not follow the usual path. The idea is not just to create a tool, but something new and useful that supports people quietly in the background. If successful, it could change how we think about hardware and how AI can be part of our everyday world without being attached to our bodies.
