Key facts
- OpenAI is developing a smart speaker in collaboration with Jony Ive's LoveFrom studio.
- The device is described as screenless, donut-shaped, and made of premium metal.
- It will feature moving parts to indicate AI activity.
- The speaker is expected to cost between $300 and $400 and launch in 2027.
- OpenAI faces a trade secret lawsuit from Apple, which it denies.
OpenAI is reportedly developing its first consumer hardware device, a screenless smart speaker shaped like a doughnut and roughly the size of a hockey puck. The battery-powered device, designed in collaboration with Jony Ive's LoveFrom studio, is intended to be portable and feature moving parts and lights to indicate when it is listening or responding, aiming to make it appear more alive than current stationary products. OpenAI envisions it as a potential smartphone replacement, focusing on AI-first tasks similar to ChatGPT's voice mode but with more advanced, humanlike interactivity. Pricing has been discussed in the $300 to $400 range, positioning it as a premium device. The device is slated for a 2027 release. This hardware development follows Apple's lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging misappropriation of hardware trade secrets, a claim OpenAI denies.