The First Device by Jony Ive & OpenAI

OpenAI has officially entered the hardware game, and it’s not doing it alone. In a bold move earlier this year, the AI powerhouse acquired io, the design-focused startup led by former Apple legend Jony Ive, in a deal valued at roughly $6.5 billion. The acquisition marks OpenAI’s clearest step toward blending cutting-edge AI with product design pedigree, placing Ive and his design studio, LoveFrom, at the center of its hardware ambitions. With his reputation for shaping iconic devices like the iPhone and Apple Watch, Ive now brings his vision to a new frontier: creating physical objects that merge seamlessly with AI.

Details surrounding the upcoming device remain tightly under wraps, but court documents and insider reports paint an intriguing picture. The product won’t be a wearable or in-ear gadget as some speculated. Instead, sources suggest a screen-free, pocket-sized device designed to interact with the world around it in subtle, intuitive ways. Described as a potential “third device” to complement smartphones and laptops, it’s positioned as a step toward ambient, always-available AI, rethinking how humans engage with technology on a daily basis. However, its final form factor, functionality, and even its name are still subject to change, as development is ongoing and legal hurdles over the “io” brand play out.

Despite a temporary pause in public-facing promotions due to a trademark dispute with another company called iyO, OpenAI has made it clear the device is moving forward. With a target launch window set for 2026, the partnership between Jony Ive and OpenAI signals a new design-led approach to AI integration. It’s not just about adding intelligence to products—it’s about reshaping how technology lives with us, quietly and intelligently, without screens or invasive interfaces. The result could be one of the most anticipated and disruptive hardware launches in years.