Openai recently announced that it is working on its first AI AI Hardware device, which she is developing in partnership with mythological designer Joni Ive. Now, since the device is still in its early stages, we do not yet know what it will happen. But thanks to some recent court filing, we know what it will not happen.

According to court documents, which was seen by TekkachchanOpenai’s first AI hardware product will not be wearable or in-ear gadget. Documents also show that the device is unlikely to be launched before 2026.

The details have come to light amid a legal dispute called IYO between Openai and Google-supported startups, which has filed a trademark complaint against the use of the name “IO”.

While the court battle on branding continues, public filing has offered a rare glimpse in Openai’s first hardware product. Despite the initial speculation that the device can take something similar to the smart glasses or human AI PIN, Tang Tan, the Chief Hardware Officer of Openai, confirmed that the product is not “in-age device, nor a wearing device.” A former Apple Executive Officer said in his statement in the court that the design of the device is still developing. He said that it would be something that “fits in your pocket or sits on your table,” and it is at least one year away from the launch. Can it be a smart home device? Perhaps.

Openai has been hyping the project since the Johnny IVE company IO products were acquired for $ 6.5 billion in May 2025. Altman has reportedly told Openai Staff that the device can be the most important product that the company has ever launched, which aims to sell 100 million units.

Despite repeated claims that the device will not go or worn in the ear, internal emails have reportedly shown that OpenIAI was especially eager to adapt to its earpiece. In fact, a member of Openai’s hardware team clearly suggested buying a database of EAR scan from the seller of IYO, as “Useful Early Points on Ergonomics”. However, Tan eventually dismissed IYO’s pitches partners, investing, or even buying the company up to $ 200 million.

Evans Henki, another Apple’s former executive officer, now led the design in Openai, made it clear in its court announcement: “IO has no current plan to offer a custom-molded earpiece product.”

Industry analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has also shared its predictions for the device. Last month, he shared a post saying that he believes that the Openai Hardware device will have a compact form factor – reminiscent of the IPOD Shafal – and Humen can be smaller than AI PIN. The device will not have a screen facility allegedly, but will rely on the built -in cameras and microphones to understand its surroundings. It seems like another sign that it can be similar to a smart home device? Something like Amazon Eco Dot.

Additionally, Kuo predicts that instead of working independently, device will connect to smartphones and computers for processing power and performance use. Kuo also said that Openai has planned to collect the product in Vietnam to avoid geo -political stress -related geo -political stress.

Investors and philanthropist Lauren Powell Jobs, who supports both Johnny Eve’s design firm and IO products, allegedly saw a prototype of the device and called it “a miraculous thing”. IVE itself has stated that the project “ruled its optimism about technology” and expressed that “humanity is better than the current screen-based gadgets”.

Openai initially published publicity material about partnership and acquisition on its website, but it was quietly removed after a trademark complaint by IYO. The company confirmed that Techdown was related to the ongoing legal case. A spokesperson of IVE called the complaint “completely baseless” and said that they are planning to contest it.