OpenAI’s long-awaited move into consumer hardware is beginning to take a clearer shape, with new reports suggesting the company’s first device will be a compact, screen-free smart speaker designed to bring ChatGPT into the home in a more physical and personal way.
The device is reportedly being developed with LoveFrom, the design firm founded by former Apple design chief Jony Ive. Rather than resembling a traditional smart speaker, it is expected to have a distinctive doughnut-like shape and measure roughly the size of a hockey puck. Its small form factor and rechargeable battery are intended to make it easy to carry from room to room with one hand.
OpenAI is also said to be aiming for a premium feel. Reports indicate that the hardware could use high-end metals and may cost more than $300 when it eventually reaches consumers. A launch is currently expected sometime in 2027, although OpenAI has not officially announced a final price, release date or product name.
What could separate the device from products such as Amazon’s Echo or Apple’s HomePod is the way it interacts with users. The speaker is expected to operate without a display and rely heavily on voice, using more advanced AI models to deliver conversations closer to ChatGPT’s existing voice experience.
It may also include microphones, cameras and other sensors that allow it to understand what is happening around it. Earlier reports suggested the device could learn a user’s habits and preferences over time, giving it the ability to offer more personalized and proactive assistance rather than simply waiting for commands.
Another unusual element is the inclusion of moving mechanical parts. These components could respond during conversations or interactions, giving the device a more animated presence. Lights are also expected to indicate when the speaker is listening or active.
The product represents a major step for OpenAI as it expands beyond software and AI services into dedicated hardware. The company acquired Ive’s hardware startup io in 2025, strengthening a partnership that brings together OpenAI’s artificial intelligence technology and a design team with deep experience building consumer electronics.
For now, many details remain unconfirmed. But if the reports are accurate, OpenAI appears to be betting that the next stage of AI interaction may not require another screen. Instead, it could be a small, portable device designed to make an AI assistant feel like a constant presence in the home.
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