OpenAI's highly anticipated AI hardware device designed by Jony Ive has been delayed until at least February 2027, according to a recent court filing. The device, which was originally slated for a late 2026 launch, has faced multiple setbacks including a trademark dispute over the io branding.

OpenAI first teased the mysterious device in a May 2025 video, promising a completely new concept in AI hardware without revealing specifics about its form factor. The company initially planned to name it io, but encountered legal challenges from a hearing aid startup called iYo. OpenAI has now abandoned the io branding entirely, with Peter Welinder, OpenAI's vice president, confirming the name change in court documents.

The delay comes as OpenAI reportedly struggles with fundamental design challenges, though a prototype reportedly existed by November 2025. The company has been hiring Apple alumni to help advance the project. This represents a significant setback for OpenAI's hardware ambitions, particularly given the high-profile nature of the collaboration between Jony Ive and Sam Altman.