OpenAI’s push into consumer hardware centers on its 2025 acquisition of Jony Ive’s io startup, targeting a screenless, voice-first AI companion device resembling a hockey-puck-sized speaker with sensors, moving parts, and advanced contextual models. Official statements point to a possible late-2026 unveiling, yet a July 2026 court filing confirms shipping will not occur before February 2027, tempering near-term launch odds. Recent internal experiments using GPT-6 Astra to generate working prototypes in under a week highlight accelerating engineering capabilities, while parallel smartphone efforts with MediaTek and Luxshare remain slated for 2027–2028 mass production. Traders are watching for any year-end reveal or supply-chain milestones that could shift timelines.