Summary
- OpenAI is set to introduce its inaugural consumer device, a doughnut-shaped smart speaker without a screen, approximately the size of a hockey puck, as reported by Bloomberg.
- The anticipated price is between $300 and $400, with a launch expected in 2027.
- In July, Apple filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging the misappropriation of hardware trade secrets, which OpenAI has sought to dismiss.
OpenAI's upcoming consumer device will be a screenless smart speaker designed like a doughnut and comparable in size to a hockey puck, as reported by Bloomberg on Thursday, citing anonymous sources familiar with the matter.
This battery-operated device is intended for easy handling around the home, allowing users to hold it or place it on surfaces. It will feature speaker grilles and microphones for voice interaction, lights indicating when it is active, along with a camera and sensors to gather environmental data for the AI.
In a unique design element, parts of the circular casing will move autonomously to indicate responses, aiming to create a more dynamic presence compared to the static smart speakers currently offered by Amazon and Google. OpenAI intends for this device to act as an AI-centric computer, functioning similarly to ChatGPT's voice interface with advanced models.
The price range is expected to be between $300 and $400, positioning it higher than most smart speakers but lower than a typical iPhone. The hardware has been developed in collaboration with Jony Ive's LoveFrom studio and will utilize premium materials, including high-quality metals. OpenAI acquired Ive's startup io for $6.4 billion in May 2025, and Decrypt reported in April that it is also co-developing a smartphone chip with Qualcomm and MediaTek.
Apple's Legal Action
This announcement follows a lawsuit filed by Apple in July in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, accusing OpenAI of misappropriating hardware trade secrets. The suit names former Apple engineer Chang Liu, ex-design executive Tang Yew Tan, and io Products. The complaint alleges that OpenAI solicited a long-time Apple supplier to create a specific metal finishing technique for an unknown product, leaving it unclear if this pertains to the speaker or another device, according to Bloomberg.
OpenAI has denied these allegations. In a blog post released on Monday, the company described the lawsuit as "careless, aggressive, and oddly personal," claiming that Apple confused two employees with similar last names, and provided emails and texts that it argues undermine Apple's claims. A motion to dismiss the case was filed by OpenAI on Wednesday.
Apple has also requested a preliminary injunction that could impose restrictions on OpenAI while the case is ongoing, potentially complicating the product's launch. OpenAI aims to announce the speaker this year and begin shipping it in 2027, continuing its internal preparations. A representative declined to comment on product plans to Bloomberg.
OpenAI's proposal for an AI presence in households has encountered skepticism online. Last week, Altman tweeted about a "cool use case" for its ChatGPT Work agent, suggesting it could connect family calendars to create a podcast about one child's soccer game and another's birthday. However, several critical responses received more engagement than the original tweet, as reported by Fortune, with objections raised about AI replacing family interactions.