OpenAI is developing a new AI-focused device that will reportedly be roughly the size of a hockey puck and shaped like a doughnut. According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, the device will function as a smart speaker without a display and is being developed as an AI-first computer.
The device is designed to help users perform tasks through voice-based interactions and can be carried around the home with one hand. OpenAI expects users to interact with it throughout the day.
Design and key features
The battery-powered device will feature moving parts that can indicate when it is responding or interacting with the user. It will also have lights to indicate when it is listening.
The device will include:
- Speaker grilles and microphones for voice commands and conversations
- A camera system and other sensors to detect the surrounding environment
- Moving components for interaction feedback
- Lights to indicate when it is listening
- A battery for use away from a fixed power source
It will be designed to work in different positions, including when held in the hand or placed on a nightstand or kitchen counter.
The device will work similarly to ChatGPT’s voice mode on smartphones, but with more advanced AI models for human-like interactions. It is also designed to learn more about users over time and tailor conversations based on that information.
Jony Ive’s LoveFrom collaboration
The device has been designed in collaboration with Jony Ive’s LoveFrom studio. Ive previously worked on the design of products including the iPhone, iPad, iPod and Apple Watch. He also co-founded a device startup that OpenAI acquired last year.
The device is expected to use high-quality metal and other materials. Its ring-shaped form factor differs from Apple’s existing HomePod speakers, which are not battery-powered and are not positioned as dedicated AI-centric home devices.
Apple’s legal dispute with OpenAI
The device is also being developed amid a legal dispute between Apple and OpenAI. Apple has alleged that OpenAI asked one of its long-running suppliers to develop a metal-finishing technique similar to one used by Apple. OpenAI called the claim “too vague and generalized” and said the new device does not use or violate Apple trade secrets.
In a court filing, OpenAI said it is “building something entirely new and different from anything at Apple.” Apple has requested an injunction, which could affect the device’s launch if granted.
Expected launch timeline and price
OpenAI has been working toward unveiling the device in 2026, with consumer availability planned for 2027. People familiar with the project said development is continuing despite the legal dispute.
The company has discussed a price of $300 to $400 per unit. OpenAI also plans to develop a broader range of AI devices, with the longer-term possibility of creating hardware that could replace smartphones.