OPENAI
The hardware of the century (allegedly)
After more than a year of hints, OpenAI has shared a clearer timeline for its first hardware product.
What the device is, and when it will go on sale, is still unclear.
Speaking at an event on January 19, OpenAI’s chief global affairs officer Chris Lehane said the company is “on track” to introduce its first device before the end of 2026.
The comments were first reported by Axios and mark one of the few times OpenAI has publicly discussed its hardware plans in recent months.
Earlier signals from Jony Ive’s design team, which previously used the name io, suggested an announcement could happen in 2026 or early 2027.
Lehane did not confirm what kind of device is being built and described the timeline as the most likely outcome, leaving room for delays.
OpenAI has not said what form the product will take.
In short:
OpenAI expects to debut its first device before the end of 2026
The product type remains unconfirmed, with several prototypes reportedly tested
The company dropped the io name following a legal ruling
The slowest tease in tech
Reports over the past year suggest the company has tested several ideas, including wearables, headphones, or other AI-powered devices.
The hardware effort has also faced branding issues.
OpenAI can no longer use the name io after a legal dispute with iyO, which is backed by Google Ventures.
An appeal was rejected in December, ruling out the name for future products.
This better be worth the wait, Sam! I’m losing patience! - MG