OpenAI is preparing to launch its first hardware product. Sources told Bloomberg the device will act as a physical version of ChatGPT.
The gadget is shaped like a donut. This design lets people carry it around their home and set it down wherever they like.
It could sit on a bedside table one day and a kitchen counter the next. The shape sets it apart from most speakers sold today.
Bloomberg reported the speaker will be made from metal. Sources said it will have a premium look and feel.
The device will also include moving parts. Details on what these parts actually do have not been shared yet.
Price And Release Timeline
The speaker could cost between $300 and $400. That price is higher than most smart speakers on the market.
Amazon's smart home speakers range from about $40 to $240. OpenAI's device would land well above that range.
The gadget is being built with LoveFrom, a design studio founded by Jony Ive. Ive spent years at Apple before starting his own studio.
Bloomberg reports the device will likely launch sometime in 2027. That timeline could still shift before the product is finished.
OpenAI has not confirmed final pricing or a release date. The company has stayed quiet on most details of the project so far.
Legal And Market Challenges
OpenAI's move into hardware has already run into legal trouble. Apple is suing the company over claims of trade secret theft.
OpenAI has denied any wrongdoing in the case. The lawsuit is still working its way through the legal system.
Smart speakers have a mixed record when it comes to profit. Amazon's Echo line has lost money for years despite wide use among households.
A high price could make it harder for OpenAI to compete in a crowded market. Buyers may compare the device to cheaper options from Amazon and Google.
Still, a home speaker could help OpenAI build ChatGPT further into daily routines. The company sees hardware as one way to grow beyond its software products.
For now, people will have to wait for more official word. OpenAI has not said when it plans to share full details of the device.
