OpenAI’s hardware device is a year out, won’t be a wearable

More news has emerged about the ChatGPT owner’s «breathrough hardware device» through court filings in their recent trademark case.

It is clear now that the device won’t be an in-ear device or some kind of glasses.

Not ready until 2026
The device mentioned in the now offline launch video of the Ive-led design division now part of OpenAI «is not an in-ear device, nor a wearable device,» says Tang Tan, their chief hardware officer, according to TechCrunch.

— The prototype Sam Altman referenced in the video is at least a year away from being offered for sale, Tang adds, according to The Verge.

— Our intent with this collaboration was, and is, to create products that go beyond traditional products and interfaces, said Sam Altman in a court declaration, reports TechCrunch.

The device should fit in a pocket or sit on a desk, and be fully aware of its surroundings, they further write.

Had been examining headphones
The recently purchased Io design house had been exploring various earbuds, purchasing about 30 to examine them further — and even held meetings and demos with Iyo, which was the plaintiff in the case.

At one point, Iyo’s management team suggested launching the device as a «developer kit» for its final AI device, and later even suggested OpenAI buy to the company outright, or for Altman to personally invest in it.

That was rebuffed with the line «thanks but im working on something competitive so will respectfully pass!,» according to The Verge.

Read more: TechCrunch has an overview, so does The Verge, and 9to5Mac summarizes the news. See also teknotum on the project lanuch and on the marketing takedown.