OpenAI has decided against using the name "io" for its planned AI hardware device. According to a report by Wired, this information comes from court documents filed by the audio startup iyO as part of a trademark lawsuit. OpenAI had removed all mentions of this project as early as June 2025.

Peter Welinder, Vice President of OpenAI, stated that the company reconsidered its naming strategy and ultimately chose not to proceed with "io." OpenAI also revealed that its first hardware device is now scheduled to ship no earlier than the end of February 2027—later than previously anticipated. There is currently no packaging or promotional material available.

OpenAI acquired this hardware startup from former Apple designer Jony Ive for $6.5 billion in May 2025. Over the weekend, a fake Super Bowl advertisement purportedly showcasing the OpenAI device circulated online. OpenAI spokesperson Lindsay McCallum informed Wired that the company is not associated with this incident.