OpenAI may finally be getting ready to launch its first consumer hardware product. According to a new Bloomberg report, the ChatGPT maker is working on a portable smart speaker that could mark its entry into the AI hardware market and take on rivals such as Apple, Amazon and Google.
The device is reportedly being developed with former Apple design chief Jony Ive, who joined OpenAI's hardware efforts after the company acquired his startup, io Products, last year. Earlier rumours had suggested OpenAI was building a speaker, but the latest report reveals more details about what the company is said to have in the works.
Unlike most smart speakers that stay plugged into a power outlet, OpenAI's device is expected to be battery-powered, allowing users to carry it from room to room. Interestingly, the report claims it won't have a display either. Instead, OpenAI is said to be betting almost entirely on voice interactions powered by ChatGPT.
Bloomberg also says the speaker could include a camera and other sensors that help it understand what's happening around it. The idea is to make conversations feel more natural by giving the AI a better understanding of its surroundings. The company is even said to be testing mechanical parts that can move, giving the device a more lifelike presence when interacting with users.
Internally, OpenAI reportedly sees the speaker as much more than a gadget for playing music or answering questions. The company is said to be pitching it as a "humanlike AI companion" that becomes smarter the longer you use it.
The device is expected to support smart home controls and media playback, but its biggest focus could be conversations. It will reportedly build on ChatGPT Live, OpenAI's latest voice technology, which is designed to sound more natural and human than previous versions.
Another reported feature is deeper integration with users' ChatGPT accounts. This could allow the speaker to access personal information, including emails, to provide more personalised responses. Over time, it may even learn routines, anticipate requests and proactively surface useful information instead of waiting for commands.
While OpenAI recently introduced the Codex Micro input device, that product was developed with accessory maker Work Louder. The upcoming speaker is expected to be the company's first hardware product designed entirely in-house.
The report also comes at a time when OpenAI is facing legal action from Apple. The iPhone maker recently accused OpenAI of using trade secrets and knowledge gained from former Apple employees to speed up its hardware development. The lawsuit names OpenAI's Chief Hardware Officer, Tang Tan, who previously worked at Apple and co-founded io Products.
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OpenAI has denied the allegations, saying it has "no interest in other companies' trade secrets" and that it is not aware of any evidence supporting Apple's claims.
Bloomberg says OpenAI's hardware team is currently working on around five products, with the smart speaker expected to be the first to arrive. The company is reportedly aiming to unveil it later this year before releasing it in 2027, although the ongoing legal dispute could influence that timeline