Bloomberg has released additional details about OpenAI’s previously reported hardware project, described as an AI-powered smart speaker that would serve as a “physical manifestation” of ChatGPT. According to the report, the device will be donut-shaped to make it easy to carry around the home and place in different locations, such as a bedside table or kitchen counter.
Materials and design
Sources told Bloomberg the speaker will be made from “high-quality metal,” have a “premium look,” and—somewhat unusually for the category—include distinct “moving parts.”
Expected price and market context
The report says the unit could retail for roughly $300 to $400, which is higher than most existing smart speakers. For comparison, Amazon’s smart home speakers typically sell for about $40 on the low end up to roughly $240 at the high end.
That higher price point raises questions about commercial viability, since smart speakers have not always been profitable historically and breaking into the hardware market can be difficult.
Partner and release window
Bloomberg reports the device is being developed in partnership with LoveFrom, the design studio founded by former Apple designer Jony Ive. The likely release is sometime in 2027.
Legal backdrop
The report also notes that OpenAI’s move into hardware has encountered legal challenges: Apple has sued OpenAI, accusing the company of stealing trade secrets; OpenAI has denied any wrongdoing.
Why this matters
A physical device designed around ChatGPT could further embed generative AI into everyday life, but the reported premium price and the challenges of the hardware market, plus ongoing legal disputes, are significant factors that may affect the product’s success.
