OpenAI and Jony Ive Unveil io: A New Kind of Personal AI Companion

A New Category of Personal AI

OpenAI has announced a groundbreaking partnership with LoveFrom, the design studio founded by former Apple Chief Design Officer Jony Ive, to create the io Device—a new kind of personal AI companion that represents a fundamentally different approach to how we interact with artificial intelligence.

View the io Device in our devices catalog →

Design Philosophy: Technology Should Be Felt, Not Forced

Unlike smartphones that demand constant attention, the io Device is designed to be a quiet, ambient layer of intelligence that lives with you. Every design decision reflects LoveFrom's philosophy that technology should disappear into your environment—and your life.

Key Design Elements

• Soft pebble-like form with unibody ceramic-polymer composite
• Minimal single-button interface for wake, confirm, or dismiss
• Circular intelligent display for contextual visual prompts
• Ergonomic silhouette that fits naturally in hand or pocket

Powered by OpenAI's Next-Generation Intelligence

The io Device is deeply integrated with OpenAI's real-time multimodal intelligence stack, offering capabilities that go far beyond simple voice commands:

• Instant voice interaction with conversational AI
• On-device agentic routines for tasks, reminders, and planning
• Environmental awareness through integrated sensors
• Adaptive context system that understands your routines, preferences, and location

It doesn't just answer—it anticipates, organizes, and assists.

Features for Everyday Life

Ambient Companion Mode

The io Device listens only when engaged, providing lightweight, hands-free assistance without constantly monitoring you. An advanced microphone array captures clear voice input even in noisy environments.

Privacy by Design

All sensors are privacy-controlled with full transparency and user control. This is AI that respects your boundaries.

Not a Smartphone Replacement

Importantly, the io Device is intentionally not designed to replace your phone. It's quiet, unobtrusive, and built to let you live more in the physical world while still carrying powerful intelligence with you.

Availability

The io Device is expected to launch publicly in 2026. Pricing, launch regions, and preorder details will be announced by OpenAI.

Learn more: openai.com/sam-and-jony

Why This Matters

The io Device represents a significant moment in AI hardware. Rather than competing with smartphones, it defines a new category—ambient intelligence that enhances your life without dominating it. With Jony Ive's design sensibility and OpenAI's AI capabilities, this could be the device that finally makes AI feel truly personal.