What is OpenAI's first hardware device, and how much will it cost
One of Apple's most recognized designers, Jony Ive, is now designing a physical product for an AI company. According to the Verge, the first device to emerge from Ive's collaboration with OpenAI is described as a display-free, battery-powered smart speaker roughly the size of a hockey puck.
Reports describe the device as donut-shaped, with some moving parts built in — components apparently designed to shift when the device interacts with or responds to a user. That appears intended to give the device a more lively, characterful presence than an ordinary speaker functioning as a voice assistant.
The device is also said to include lights, a camera system, and various sensors. Those features suggest it's being designed not just to respond to voice commands, but to sense its surroundings and react accordingly.
One of the product's most notable characteristics is that it has no display. While much of the smart home device market has been trending toward assistants with screens, this design choice looks like a deliberate point of differentiation — the device leans on voice interaction and physical movement rather than a visual interface.
According to the Verge, the device is expected to be battery-powered and designed to be easily carried around the home. That distinguishes it from conventional smart speakers, which typically stay tethered to a fixed outlet.
On pricing, reports suggest the device will sell for above $300 — noticeably more expensive than most standard smart speakers. That price range suggests the device may be positioned as a premium technology accessory rather than a mass-market consumer product.
The launch is expected in 2027, meaning the device is still at a relatively early stage of development. That design details have already leaked publicly is itself a sign of how much public and tech-press interest the device has already generated.
The collaboration has drawn significant attention across the tech industry, since Ive played a central role during his years at Apple in designing iconic products such as the iPhone, iPad, and MacBook. His work with an AI company is seen as a signal that the industry is searching for a new vision of how hardware should integrate with AI assistants.
The project fits a broader trend of AI companies developing not just software but purpose-built hardware that can integrate physically into users' daily lives. It can be seen as an effort to create a new device category built specifically around voice assistants, beyond smartphones and laptops.
Since the device hasn't been officially announced, its final design and features could still change. But the leaked details suggest that as OpenAI moves into hardware, it's pursuing a more ambitious product vision than an ordinary smart speaker.
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