OpenAI ChatGPT Device Details Emerge From Lawsuit

The Disappearing Act and a Lawsuit

Over the weekend, keen observers and ChatGPT enthusiasts noted a curious change. OpenAI had quietly removed the video featuring Sam Altman and Jony Ive from its website. Also gone was the announcement detailing OpenAI's acquisition of Ive’s company, io, to develop ChatGPT devices.

This led to some speculation that OpenAI might have suddenly canceled its plans for ChatGPT io hardware. However, the reality is a bit more complex. A court order, stemming from a trademark lawsuit, compelled OpenAI to temporarily take down these materials. The lawsuit was filed by iyO, a Google-backed startup specializing in wearable computers with custom-molded earpieces, particularly voice-controlled earphones.

iyO initiated legal action against OpenAI, and the subsequent court filings, now surfacing online, are shedding light on the history between the two companies and offering the first concrete details about OpenAI’s ambitions for its ChatGPT io gadget.

What We Knew About The ChatGPT Hardware

When Sam Altman and Jony Ive first announced the io acquisition, the OpenAI CEO shared his excitement about trying the initial ChatGPT gadget developed by Ive and his team. Altman described the unnamed device as having “completely captured” his imagination, though he remained tight-lipped about its design or functionality.

Altman did express that current methods of accessing ChatGPT are overly complicated, implying that the io hardware would offer a much simpler and more intuitive user experience. He later provided more insight during an internal OpenAI meeting, reportedly positioning the ChatGPT io device as potentially the third most important gadget in a person's life, following their smartphone and computer. This device, he suggested, would reside in a pocket or on a desk, possessing an awareness of the user's surroundings and context.

New Details From The Lawsuit

A mid-June court filing from OpenAI indicates that the unnamed ChatGPT io device is “at least a year away,” pointing towards a possible late 2026 release at the earliest. This contrasts slightly with the earlier video tease where OpenAI hinted at unveiling the product next year, without giving specific timelines.

Crucially, the same document states that OpenAI is not developing a wearable for its first product. Specifically, it will not be an in-ear device like the one iyO is currently taking preorders for. OpenAI’s legal team also noted that iyO itself will require several months to launch its product.

While OpenAI denies its first device is a wearable, other reports have speculated the ChatGPT product might be worn around the neck. Even a pocket-placed device could be considered a wearable in a broader sense, as it's carried by the user. Ear-based placement is a popular concept, with Apple rumored to be bringing Apple Intelligence to AirPods with cameras. AI-integrated smart glasses, pursued by Meta, Google, and Samsung, represent another avenue, with Apple also reportedly exploring this space.

iyO hardware: iyO One and Vad Pro. Image source: iyO

Regardless of its final form, an OpenAI device would need to be in close proximity to the user. It would likely rely on voice commands and incorporate at least one camera to perceive the user's environment. Connectivity with existing audio devices like AirPods could also be essential. While this is speculative, the core idea is that the ChatGPT gadget will need to be 'worn' or carried consistently, irrespective of legal definitions used by OpenAI's lawyers aiming to differentiate their product from iyO's technology and name.

The court document does reveal that OpenAI has purchased at least 30 different headphone sets from various manufacturers to evaluate current market offerings. Furthermore, lawyers stated that io (Jony Ive's company) explored a range of device concepts, including options resembling a computer or mobile device, and considered “wired, wearable, and portable” designs for the ChatGPT gadget.

OpenAI Has Tried iyOs Computers

OpenAI has been aware of iyO's work for some time. As TechCrunch highlights, the two parties have met previously.

OpenAI representatives, including VP of Product Peter Welinder and io’s Chief Hardware Officer Tang Tan, met iyO’s CEO Jason Rugolo on May 1st to experience the in-ear product firsthand. However, the demos were reportedly plagued by device failures.

The court documents also disclose that Rugolo attempted to pitch iyO devices to OpenAI, even proposing that OpenAI launch an iyO device as a “developer kit” for its own future AI hardware. He further suggested an investment from OpenAI or an outright acquisition of iyO for $200 million. Tang Tan declined all these propositions.

Internal emails from io employees indicate an interest in custom earpieces, similar to what iyO offers. However, OpenAI chose to seek access to data from The Ear Project, an ear-scanning company that collaborates with iyO for custom earpieces, rather than directly engaging with iyO's devices.

In a declaration to the court, Tang Tan reiterated that OpenAI will not produce a wearable ChatGPT io device. He clarified that the prototype Altman mentioned in the Ive video “is not an in-ear device, nor a wearable device.” Tan also confirmed the device is at least a year from release.

The ChatGPT Hardware Is Guaranteed To Come Out

Regardless of the outcome of this trademark dispute, it is highly probable that OpenAI and io will launch a ChatGPT product in the coming year or so. OpenAI cannot afford to be without its own first-party hardware in a market increasingly populated by diverse AI products. This will likely happen even if io is required to rebrand.

Interestingly, documents filed by OpenAI reveal that Sam Altman and Jony Ive selected the 'io' name in mid-2023 and purchased the io.com domain around that time, several months before iyO began using its name and registered its trademark.