The reported price tag of over $300 would position OpenAI’s smart speaker as a direct competitor to Apple’s $349 HomePod, though with a more portable, battery-powered design. This marks a significant shift for OpenAI, which has traditionally focused on software-based AI. The company is working with Jony Ive, the former Apple design leader who started his own firm after leaving the tech giant. OpenAI acquired Ive’s company in a $6.4 billion deal last year and has continued to integrate Apple’s design philosophy into its hardware goals.
Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman described the smart speaker as having a circular form, roughly the size of a hockey puck. The device is expected to feature cameras and other sensors to understand its environment. What sets it apart is the inclusion of moving parts, which will activate when the device is in use. This is meant to create a more dynamic and interactive experience, making the device feel more alive than current static smart speaker designs.
OpenAI’s hiring of multiple Apple engineers has led to legal tensions. Apple has filed a lawsuit against the company, alleging the improper transfer of trade secrets. The dispute centers on whether these engineers shared Apple’s confidential information with OpenAI. It’s unclear how this legal conflict might impact the release of OpenAI’s first hardware product, which could arrive as early as 2027. OpenAI has since filed a motion to dismiss the lawsuit, stating it has “no use, need or desire” for Apple’s trade secrets.
According to Gurman, the smart speaker is designed to become more personalized over time, learning from user interactions to improve conversations. This adaptive capability allows it to feel more humanlike. The underlying AI models used are reportedly more advanced, representing a substantial evolution from the voice-only ChatGPT interface users are familiar with. The device is expected to have a donut-like shape and a premium metal finish, with a price range between $300-$400.
According to Gurman, the smart speaker will "work similarly to the company’s ChatGPT voice mode on smartphone apps, but with more advanced models for humanlike interactivity." It's a pretty dramatic pivot from the wearable and earbud rumours that have swirled since OpenAI folded Ive's io startup into its hardware division back in May 2025. As we’ve covered before, court filings have already suggested the device won't reach customers before the end of February 2027.