According to a report from Bloomberg cited by The Verge and TechCrunch, OpenAI's first hardware product is a screenless, moveable smart speaker running the GPT-Live voice model, developed with former Apple designer Jony Ive following OpenAI's roughly $6.5 billion acquisition of his firm io Products, with launch targeted for 2027 amid an ongoing Apple trade-secret lawsuit.
What is the basic form and function of OpenAI's first hardware device?
According to a report from Bloomberg cited by The Verge, OpenAI's first device is set to be a smart speaker that lets users talk with ChatGPT. The device "apparently won't have a screen, but will use a camera and additional sensors to 'understand' your environment" 1.
The Verge further reports that sources tell Bloomberg the device will feature a rechargeable battery allowing users to carry it with them, and will offer smart home controls along with the ability to play media, answer questions, and respond to messages 2.
What technology and AI capabilities does the device have?
Per The Verge's sourcing, the device will use GPT-Live, described as "OpenAI's upgraded voice model announced last week" 3.
TechCrunch, also citing Bloomberg, reports the device is being pitched internally as a "humanlike AI companion that lives in the home" 8. Sources described the device as having a "personality" and being able to "proactively learn about its owner over time, providing more personalized service." The device would have access to a user's digital life, drawing off things like emails, according to those sources 9.
Who is behind the design and development of the device?
According to The Verge, OpenAI is collaborating with former Apple designer Jony Ive on the new devices following its nearly $6.5 billion acquisition of his design company, io Products 5.
TechCrunch adds that the device was developed with help from many former Apple engineers who were instrumental in "creating products such as the iPhone and Mac," per Bloomberg 10.
What is the scale and timeline of OpenAI's hardware strategy?
The Verge reports that the rumored speaker will launch in 2027 as part of OpenAI's plans for a bigger hardware lineup, which currently includes "roughly" five devices, according to Bloomberg 4.
Separately, OpenAI has also been teasing a Codex gadget called the Codex Micro, made in partnership with Work Louder, scheduled to release on July 15th 7.
| Item | Detail | Source |
|---|
| Jony Ive/io Products acquisition | ~$6.5 billion | The Verge 5 |
| Speaker launch target | 2027 | The Verge 4 |
| Current hardware lineup | "roughly" five devices | The Verge 4 |
| Codex Micro release date | July 15th | The Verge 7 |
| Hark Series A (competitor) | $700 million, $6 billion valuation | TechCrunch 13 |
How does the Apple lawsuit affect OpenAI's hardware development, and how has OpenAI responded?
TechCrunch reports that Apple last week sued OpenAI, accusing the AI company of stealing its trade secrets, and further claimed the allegations are merely "the tip of the iceberg," with more misconduct expected to surface during legal discovery. OpenAI has denied wrongdoing 11.
The Verge notes that OpenAI, in a new statement on Tuesday, said it is "not aware of any evidence that this complaint has merit" 6.
TechCrunch also cites anonymous sources with knowledge of OpenAI's plans saying the company feels its new product "veers significantly from anything Apple has on the market today" and that it is "unlikely that it violates trade secrets" belonging to Apple 12.
Where does OpenAI's hardware ambition sit within the competitive market?
TechCrunch reports that Hark, an AI lab founded by Brett Adcock, raised an oversubscribed $700 million Series A back in May at a $6 billion valuation to build what it calls "personal intelligence" — proprietary AI models paired with custom hardware designed as a "universal interface between humans and machines" 13.
What this means
The reported timeline places OpenAI's screenless speaker launch in 2027 4 — roughly a year after the Codex Micro's July 15th debut 7 — while the company is simultaneously navigating Apple's trade-secret lawsuit filed "last week" 11 and denying its merits (E6, E12). The involvement of former Apple engineers on iPhone and Mac 10 alongside Jony Ive's $6.5 billion-acquired design firm 5 sits directly adjacent to Apple's legal claims, even as OpenAI sources argue the product "veers significantly" from Apple's current lineup 12. Meanwhile, Hark's $700 million raise at a $6 billion valuation 13 shows OpenAI is not alone in pursuing personality-driven, learning hardware — a category The Verge and TechCrunch both describe as departing from traditional smart speakers (E1, E8, E9).