OpenAI’s Magic Earbud Dream Turns Into Trademark Tantrum

OpenAI and Jony Ive’s hardware startup, io, are knee-deep in a trademark lawsuit with Google-backed iyO, revealing spicy new details about their not-so-secret plan to build an AI gadget for the masses.

The drama began when iyO accused the two companies of trademark infringement, prompting OpenAI to yank promotional materials tied to its $6.5 billion acquisition of io under court order.

Filings show that OpenAI and io have spent over a year researching in-ear devices, even purchasing 30 headphone models and meeting with iyO’s execs to test their tech — which, spoiler alert, reportedly didn’t work.

Despite the earpiece obsession, OpenAI claims their first product might not even go in your ear — or on your body — but could be some magical third device to sit on your desk and whisper sweet AI nothings.

Tang Tan, io’s co-founder and ex-Apple hardware wizard, told the court the prototype isn’t a wearable and won’t hit shelves for at least a year.

Emails in the lawsuit reveal io was eyeing iyO’s custom ear-scanning data, with one engineer suggesting they buy a 3D ear database to get started with ergonomic designs.

iyO’s CEO allegedly tried selling the company to OpenAI for $200 million and even offered to become their AI hardware wing — a courtship OpenAI flatly rejected.

Former Apple execs at io insist they’re not making custom earbuds, despite their oddly specific research history and meetings with rival in-ear tech startups.

Meanwhile, the rest of the tech world sprints toward smart glasses, while OpenAI and io fumble with form factors and fight over whose imaginary AI widget owns the rights to three letters.