OpenAI’s first consumer hardware product is reportedly taking the form of a portable, doughnut-shaped AI smart speaker priced between $300 and $400, according to a Bloomberg report. The screenless device, being developed in collaboration with former Apple design chief Jony Ive and his design firm LoveFrom, is expected to debut in 2027 as the first product in a broader family of AI-native hardware. The device represents OpenAI’s most ambitious move beyond software, aiming to make ChatGPT an always-available AI companion in everyday life.
Unlike traditional smart speakers from Amazon, Google, and Apple, OpenAI’s device is reportedly designed as an AI-first computer rather than a home assistant. It will feature a premium metal design, built-in cameras, microphones, environmental sensors, and even mechanical moving parts intended to give it a more expressive and lifelike personality. The company hopes the product will redefine how users interact with AI by emphasizing natural conversations over screens and apps.
OpenAI’s First Hardware Takes Shape
According to Bloomberg’s report, the upcoming device will:
- Be shaped like a doughnut.
- Be roughly the size of a hockey puck.
- Feature a screenless design.
- Be portable enough to carry around the home with one hand.
- Cost between $300 and $400.
- Launch sometime in 2027.
Rather than acting as a conventional smart speaker, the product is expected to serve as a dedicated AI companion powered by ChatGPT.
Device Snapshot
| Feature | Reported Details |
|---|---|
| Product Type | Portable AI smart speaker |
| Shape | Doughnut-shaped |
| Size | Approximately hockey puck-sized |
| Display | None |
| Expected Price | $300–$400 |
| Expected Launch | 2027 |
Designed With Jony Ive
The device is being developed alongside LoveFrom, the design studio founded by former Apple Chief Design Officer Jony Ive.
Reports suggest the hardware will feature:
- Premium metal construction.
- Minimalist industrial design.
- Mechanical moving components.
- A form factor distinct from existing smart speakers.
The goal is reportedly to create hardware that feels more like an intelligent companion than a traditional consumer electronics product.
Built Around AI Instead of a Screen
Unlike smartphones or smart displays, OpenAI’s first device is expected to rely almost entirely on voice interaction.
Reported hardware includes:
- Multiple microphones.
- Built-in speakers.
- Cameras.
- Environmental sensors.
- Rechargeable battery for portability.
The cameras and sensors are expected to help the AI better understand its surroundings, allowing for more contextual and natural conversations.
Expected Capabilities
| Component | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Microphones | Natural voice conversations |
| Speakers | ChatGPT voice responses |
| Cameras | Environmental awareness |
| Sensors | Contextual AI interactions |
| Battery | Portable use throughout the home |
Why OpenAI Is Building Hardware
The reported device aligns with OpenAI’s broader strategy of embedding ChatGPT into everyday life.
Potential goals include:
- Creating a dedicated AI-first computing device.
- Reducing dependence on smartphones.
- Delivering more natural voice interactions.
- Building an entirely new consumer hardware category.
The speaker is reportedly only the first product in a larger roadmap that could eventually include additional AI-native devices designed specifically around generative AI rather than traditional operating systems.
Premium Pricing Sets It Apart
With a reported price of $300–$400, OpenAI’s device would be positioned well above most mainstream smart speakers.
For comparison:
| Product Category | Typical Price |
|---|---|
| Amazon Echo speakers | Around $40–$240 |
| Google Nest speakers | Around $50–$200 |
| OpenAI AI Speaker (reported) | $300–$400 |
The higher price suggests OpenAI is targeting premium AI experiences rather than competing directly on price with existing smart home speakers.
Growing Competition in AI Hardware
OpenAI’s move comes as major technology companies race to develop AI-first consumer devices.
Key competitors include:
- Apple with Apple Intelligence.
- Google with Gemini-powered devices.
- Amazon’s Alexa+ ecosystem.
- Meta’s AI wearables.
- Humane and Rabbit, which previously attempted AI-native hardware.
The collaboration with Jony Ive has generated significant industry attention because of his role in designing iconic Apple products, raising expectations that OpenAI is aiming to create a new category of AI hardware rather than another conventional smart speaker.
Looking Ahead
OpenAI’s reported AI smart speaker represents a significant step in the company’s expansion from software into consumer hardware. With its doughnut-shaped design, premium materials, screenless interface, and deep integration with ChatGPT, the device appears intended to make AI interactions more natural and ambient than today’s smartphones or smart speakers. If priced between $300 and $400 as reported, OpenAI is clearly positioning the product as a premium AI companion rather than a mass-market smart home gadget.
Looking ahead, the success of the device will depend on whether OpenAI can persuade consumers that a dedicated AI-first device offers meaningful advantages over smartphones, laptops, and existing smart speakers. As competition intensifies in AI hardware, the partnership with Jony Ive and LoveFrom could prove to be a key differentiator, helping OpenAI establish a new category of intelligent consumer devices if the product delivers on its ambitious vision.
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