7th August 2026 – (San Francisco) OpenAI is preparing to launch an artificial intelligence-driven device with a distinctive design, expected to go on sale in 2027 at a price above three hundred dollars. According to individuals familiar with the project, the new product will take the form of a doughnut-shaped smart speaker, resembling the size of a hockey puck, and will be portable enough to be carried easily around the home.
Developed as an AI-centric computer, the device is intended to act as an interactive companion that users can rely upon throughout the day. Its construction includes moving elements to emphasise real-time interactions and create a sense of personal engagement. The device will also incorporate speaker grills, microphones, and a lighting system to indicate when it is listening or responding, along with a camera system and additional sensors to gather environmental information and relay it to the AI assistant.
The project, which is the result of a collaboration with Jony Ive’s LoveFrom studio, is OpenAI’s first significant move into hardware. The device’s premium aesthetic will rely on high-quality metal components, with design features that position it apart from existing smart speakers on the market. It is expected to be more expensive than typical smart speaker offerings, but less costly than most standard smartphones.
In advance of release, OpenAI has been the subject of a legal dispute with Apple Inc. relating to alleged unauthorised use of design techniques and intellectual property. OpenAI has rejected the accusations, maintaining that their new device is fundamentally different from any product previously offered by Apple and that no proprietary Apple technology has been incorporated.
Despite ongoing legal proceedings, OpenAI is continuing to progress rapidly with the development of the new hardware. The company aims to establish a broader product range in the artificial intelligence sector, with ambitions to develop devices that could eventually serve as alternatives to current smartphones. The anticipated smart speaker is designed to operate intuitively in a range of environments, adapting to the user’s habits and routines, with the goal of making itself an indispensable everyday companion.