OpenAI is making its move to enter consumer hardware with a new family of devices powered by artificial intelligence, a project that would feature Jony Ive's design signature and be organized under the name 'io'. The project, reported by The Information and supported by Reuters, aims for devices designed from the ground up to interact with AI models.
Industry sources point to key agreements in the supply chain, such as a pact with Luxshare to manufacture at least one device and talks with Goertek for audio modules and other components. The schedule being considered places the first launches in a range that would range from late 2026 to early 2027, focusing on everyday uses without relying so much on the mobile screen.
What products are being evaluated and how do they want them to work?
Prototypes and concepts in the works include glasses with AI functions, a compact voice recorder, a screenless home speaker and a Humane-style lapel pin, all designed to provide contextual assistance without overwhelming the user with complex interfaces.
The idea is to prioritize natural interactions based on voice, location, and ambient intelligence, so that the assistant better understands the context and offers useful answers without forcing you to constantly look at a screen.
In the case of AI glasses, the goal would be to integrate them into everyday life without any fuss: discreet design, audio responses and potentially sensors that help understand the environment to activate functions only when they add value.
El speaker without display would seek to differentiate itself with more fluid conversational skills and understanding of context, with integration with Alexa and reinforced by high-performance speaker modules that are expected to be supplied by Goertek.
The call pocket pin It aims to be a truly portable alternative for accessing ChatGPT and other models, with low latency, decent battery life, and a design that allows for hands-free use in most everyday situations.
Suppliers, high-profile signings, and a legal front
To bring these plans to fruition, OpenAI has reportedly closed an agreement with Luxshare (assembler of iPhone and AirPods) and is in talks with Goertek, a supplier linked to AirPods, HomePod, and Apple Watch. In this way, the company relies on a supply chain with proven experience in consumer electronics and HomeKit accessories.
In parallel, the hardware division would have incorporated more than twenty specialists from Apple in areas such as wearables, cameras, audio, and interfaces, with the promise of less bureaucratic processes and greater collaboration between teams. Among the signings is Tang Tan, currently head of hardware at OpenAI.
According to The Information, Apple would have reached cancel meetings with partners in China to prevent key executives from being tempted by the new project, a gesture that gives an idea of ​​the growing friction between the two companies.
Another piece of the puzzle is the brand: the product line would be articulated under 'io'Reports cited by Reuters indicate that OpenAI has integrated Jony Ive-founded startup io Products in a multi-million-dollar deal, bolstering its hardware roadmap.
However, this plan is not without obstacles. The startup iyO has sued IO over name issues and requested the removal of promotional material, a process that has also revealed that the first product will not reach the market before 2026.
There is also mention of a pocket-sized device that would already be in the prototype phase and that would be closely based on the OpenAI AI modelsThe intention is to offer a real alternative to smartphone interaction when the context requires it.
At a strategic level, the move aims to create native AI hardware to compete in a field dominated by Apple, Samsung and Google, opening new avenues beyond traditional mobile and PC.
OpenAI's entry into hardware seems geared toward building a coherent ecosystem—glasses, speaker, pin, and recorder—supported by a network of Experienced suppliers, top-tier talent, and an experience-centric design approachIf the schedule remains on track and litigation doesn't hinder the project, deployment could begin as early as 2026.
