OpenAI is reportedly preparing to enter the consumer hardware market with a new AI-powered device developed in collaboration with former Apple design chief Jony Ive. While earlier rumours suggested the company's first product could be a speaker, a new report indicates it may be a portable smart speaker without a display.
According to a report by Bloomberg, OpenAI is developing a screenless, portable smart speaker intended to function as an AI companion for the home.
Although this would be the company's first in-house hardware product, OpenAI recently introduced the Codex Micro, a Codex-branded input device created in partnership with accessories manufacturer Work Louder.
WHAT COULD THE OPENAI SPEAKER LOOK LIKE?
The report suggests that the speaker will feature a portable design, allowing users to move it easily around the home. Unlike many conventional smart speakers that require a constant power connection, the device is expected to include a rechargeable battery to enhance portability.
Despite being a smart speaker, the device is reportedly unlikely to include a display. Instead, it may be equipped with a camera and additional sensors to better understand its surroundings.
The report also indicates that OpenAI could incorporate mechanical components capable of autonomous movement, giving the device a more lifelike presence during interactions.
POSITIONED AS A "HUMANLIKE AI COMPANION"
Internally, OpenAI is reportedly describing the device as a humanlike AI companion designed for home use. While still under development, it is expected to feature deep integration with ChatGPT.
Like existing smart speakers, the device is expected to control compatible smart home appliances and play music or other media. However, it is also likely to support a more advanced version of ChatGPT Live, OpenAI's latest voice model introduced earlier this month.
ChatGPT Live is designed to deliver more natural, human-like conversations than previous voice models. If the report proves accurate, the new speaker could offer even more sophisticated voice interactions.
The inclusion of cameras and environmental sensors is also expected to help the device understand context, enabling it to generate responses that are more relevant to the user's surroundings and situation.
Users may also be able to connect the device to their existing ChatGPT accounts, allowing the AI to access personal information—such as emails and other authorised data—to provide more personalised assistance.
According to the report, OpenAI views the speaker as a key step in its broader hardware strategy and an opportunity to compete more directly with Apple, Amazon, and Google. The company reportedly believes the device's defining characteristic will be its personality and its ability to build more natural, human-like interactions with users.
Over time, the speaker is expected to become increasingly personalised and proactive, anticipating users' needs, surfacing useful information without being prompted, and serving as a knowledgeable AI assistant.
LEGAL DISPUTE WITH APPLE
The hardware initiative comes as OpenAI faces legal action from Apple.
Last week, Apple filed a lawsuit accusing OpenAI of misappropriating trade secrets and using former Apple employees, recruitment strategies, and supplier relationships to accelerate the development of its hardware products.
Apple's complaint specifically names OpenAI Chief Hardware Officer Tang Tan, a former Apple executive responsible for iPhone product design and a co-founder of io Products. The lawsuit alleges that Tan led efforts to obtain confidential information relating to Apple's future products and engineering practices.
OpenAI has denied the allegations, stating that it has "no interest in other companies' trade secrets" and that it is unaware of any evidence supporting Apple's claims. Apple has acknowledged that the legal discovery process will be necessary to determine whether OpenAI has used any proprietary technology.
Last year, OpenAI acquired io Products—the startup co-founded by former Apple design chief Jony Ive—for $6.5 billion as part of its efforts to develop hardware for the generative AI era. Ive's design firm, LoveFrom, is assisting with the project, alongside several former Apple designers and engineers, including Evans Hankey and Paul Meade.
According to reports, OpenAI's hardware division is currently developing approximately five different products. The portable AI speaker is expected to be the first device unveiled, with an announcement anticipated later this year and a commercial launch currently targeted for 2027, although the ongoing legal proceedings could affect that timeline.
Meanwhile, Apple is also expanding its AI-powered home device portfolio. In addition to the HomePod and HomePod mini, the company is reportedly developing new AI-focused smart home products, including a delayed smart home control hub and a larger display mounted on a robotic arm.
