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OpenAI Delays First Hardware to 2027, Drops 'io' Name After Trademark Dispute

Court papers in an iyO trademark case reveal a 2027 delivery target alongside a retreat from the 'io' name.

Overview

  • An affidavit by OpenAI executive Peter Welinder states the company does not expect to deliver its first device before the end of February 2027.
  • OpenAI told the court it has decided not to use the 'io' name in the naming, advertising, marketing or sale of AI hardware, reflecting a revised branding strategy.
  • The filing stems from a trademark suit by audio startup iyO, which previously prompted an injunction restricting use of the 'io' mark after OpenAI’s roughly $6.5 billion deal for Jony Ive’s io Products.
  • The timeline supersedes January comments that the device was on track for late 2026, and it remains unclear whether a product reveal could still happen before deliveries begin.
  • Court records note Tang Tan said the first device will be neither an in‑ear product nor a wearable, while reporting points to an audio‑first concept and OpenAI labeled a recent purported leak video as completely fake.