OpenAI has been working with Jony Ive, Apple's former chief designer, for several months on new hardware under the io brand. The company is pursuing a clear strategy: It is utilizing the same suppliers that have been closely associated with Apple for years and bringing experienced specialists directly from Cupertino onto the team. The goal is to develop AI products that are scheduled to be launched in late 2026 or early 2027.
The collaboration between OpenAI and Jony Ive suggests that artificial intelligence will no longer remain solely anchored in software solutions. io is creating a dedicated hardware line that integrates AI into wearable devices and smart everyday assistants. The path to this goal involves well-known supply chain partners, high compensation packages, and reliance on Apple's proven design and engineering expertise.
Apple suppliers in focus
According to a report by The Information, io has already signed a contract with Luxshare. The Chinese company produces iPhones and AirPods, among other products, and will manufacture at least one of OpenAI's future devices. OpenAI has also approached Goertek. The manufacturer also has close ties to Apple and builds AirPods, HomePods, and Apple Watches. Goertek is planned to supply parts such as speaker modules for io products.
Planned devices under the io brand
Until recently, it was only known that io wanted to develop wearables, without providing any details. The report now outlines the first concrete approaches. One of the devices is said to be a smart speaker without a display. Furthermore, there are plans for glasses, a digital voice recorder, and a wearable pin. The release of the first hardware products is scheduled for late 2026 or early 2027.
Poaching Apple employees
In addition to its suppliers, OpenAI is also massively recruiting staff who previously worked at Apple. Since the announcement of io, more than two dozen employees have transferred from Cupertino, up from about ten last year. These are engineers and designers with experience in user interfaces, wearables, cameras, and acoustics. Notable new hires include:
- Cyrus Daniel Irani, 15 years member of the Human Interface Design Team at Apple
- Matt Theobald, who has worked in manufacturing design at Apple for almost 17 years
- Erik de Jong, who temporarily led the Apple Watch hardware team
Reasons for the change
In addition to attractive salary packages, the prospect of working again with well-known names like Jony Ive, Evans Hankey, and Tang Tan plays a role. Tan worked in design at Apple for over 25 years. For many former Apple employees, it's also crucial that they can work on new initiatives at io, rather than contributing to incremental updates of existing Apple products.
OpenAI relies on proven Apple expertise
OpenAI and Jony Ive are building io, a hardware brand that relies heavily on Apple's supply chains and former Apple employees. Experienced producers like Luxshare and Goertek are involved, and the growing team brings expertise in design, hardware, and acoustics. The planned devices—from smart speakers to glasses—are scheduled for release in 2026 or 2027 and will make AI more tangible in everyday life. (Image: Shutterstock / Juan Roballo)
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