In a significant update to the Silicon Valley timeline, OpenAI’s mysterious first hardware device—developed in partnership with legendary designer Jony Ive—has been delayed to February 2027.
The new shipping target was revealed in a court filing made public on February 10, 2026, as part of an ongoing trademark dispute. This pushback cools earlier expectations that the device might debut or ship in late 2026.
Key Updates: The Road to 2027
The delay isn’t just about production; it’s also about a major rebranding effort forced by legal challenges.
| Feature | New Update (Feb 2026) | Previous Status |
| Shipping Date | Late February 2027 | Late 2026 |
| Brand Name | TBA (Dropped “io”) | “io” |
| Project Design | Screenless, pocket-sized | Mixed Rumors |
| Manufacturing | Vietnam (Likely) | TBD |
Why the Delay?
1. The “io” Trademark Battle
OpenAI has officially abandoned the name “io” for its hardware division. This decision follows a protracted legal battle with the audio startup iyO, which claimed the name caused market confusion. OpenAI’s Vice President Peter Welinder confirmed in the filing that the company will not use “io,” “IYO,” or any variations for its upcoming gadgets.
2. Perfecting the “Third Core Device”
Jony Ive and Sam Altman have described the product as a “completely new concept” meant to sit alongside the iPhone and MacBook as a third essential device.
- The Challenge: Building a screenless device that relies entirely on voice, vision, and contextual awareness is technically complex.
- The “Apple Approach”: Given Ive’s history of perfectionism, the team is reportedly unwilling to launch a “half-baked” product, especially after the high-profile failures of early AI hardware like the Humane Pin and Rabbit R1.
3. Supply Chain & Logistics
Reports suggest OpenAI has secured contracts with Apple suppliers Luxshare and Goertek. However, setting up a new production base in Vietnam (to avoid geopolitical risks associated with China) has added time to the manufacturing runway.
Recent Rumors & The “Dime” Hoax
The news of the delay followed a weekend of viral rumors on Reddit.
- The Hoax: A deepfake/hoax Super Bowl ad circulated showing actor Alexander Skarsgård with a device called the “Dime.”
- The Reality: OpenAI quickly debunked the ad, clarifying that their official Super Bowl presence was focused solely on their Codex coding tool. The court filing now confirms that no official packaging or marketing materials for the hardware actually exist yet.
What to Expect Next
While shipping is now a year away, a formal reveal or “unveiling” could still happen in late 2026 to build momentum. The device is expected to be a “pocket-sized, contextually aware” assistant that uses OpenAI’s multimodal models (like Gemini-competing vision systems) to interact with the world around you.
