OpenAI enters Hardware Space

The company is reportedly developing a palm-sized, doughnut-shaped AI smart speaker roughly the size of a hockey puck. The device is expected to be completely wireless, allowing users to easily pick it up and carry it from one room to another with a single hand.

The smart home device is completely screenless, but it is equipped with a camera, lights, microphones, and a range of environmental sensors. It is also battery-powered and lightweight, making it easy to carry and use throughout the home.

In terms of interaction, the device is expected to function similarly to ChatGPT’s Voice Mode on mobile devices, while leveraging a more advanced AI model to enable conversations that feel more natural and human-like.

The AI speaker is expected to cost between $300 and $400, although OpenAI has yet to officially confirm its final price or launch date. The device is reportedly slated for release in 2027 and is being developed in collaboration with Jony Ive, the former Apple design chief.

The device is expected to feature high-quality metal, and its ring-shaped form factor sets it apart from existing smart speakers such as Apple’s HomePod and Amazon Alexa devices which generally rely on wired power and are not positioned as dedicated, AI-first home devices.

Apple vs OpenAI: Inside the Legal Battle Over AI Hardware and Trade Secrets – Could the Lawsuit Affect OpenAI’s AI Device?

OpenAI is currently embroiled in a legal battle with Apple that could potentially affect its hardware plans. Apple sued OpenAI in July, accusing the AI company of stealing its trade secrets and describing the alleged conduct as a “pattern of theft.”

OpenAI has denied the allegations and has filed a motion seeking to dismiss Apple’s lawsuit. If the case moves forward, the legal dispute could become a lengthy battle, potentially lasting for years and creating uncertainty around OpenAI’s plans to expand further into consumer hardware.