OpenAI is planning its first major foray into consumer hardware with a portable, screen-free smart speaker designed to serve as a humanlike “home companion,” according to Bloomberg, citing sources familiar with the matter.
The artificial intelligence (AI) device, which represents a new prototype of spatial computing, is intended to transition OpenAI’s ChatGPT from a digital browser tab into a physical presence in the household.
However, the ambitious hardware play faces immediate headwinds. Apple Inc. recently filed a sweeping lawsuit accusing OpenAI of poaching talent and stealing proprietary trade secrets that threatens to delay the speaker’s planned 2027 release.
Described internally as a computer built specifically for the AI era, the upcoming device moves away from the traditional, static smart speaker model exemplified by Amazon Echo or Apple HomePod.
OpenAI’s forthcoming device comes with a speaker that incorporates subtle mechanical elements that move independently, designed to give the machine a “personality” and make it feel alive rather than like an inert appliance. It is powered by a rechargeable battery that allows it to be carried from room to room. And it comes with cameras, advanced spatial sensors, and access to personal data like emails.
Additionally, the companion will rely on GPT-Live, an advanced iteration of ChatGPT’s Voice Mode, allowing for natural, bi-directional conversations where the AI can listen, adapt, and speak simultaneously.
OpenAI’s hardware division has been quietly assembled using a formidable war chest and an aggressive recruitment campaign targeting the iPhone maker. Last year, OpenAI spent $6.5 billion to acquire io Products, a startup co-founded by former Apple iPhone design chief Tang Tan.
OpenAI partnered with LoveFrom, the design firm led by legendary Apple veteran Jony Ive. The development team is a “who’s who” of former Apple heavyweights, including industrial design lead Evans Hankey and Paul Meade, the former engineering lead for Apple’s Vision Pro headset. OpenAI has reportedly hired more than 400 former Apple employees to build out its physical tech footprint.
Apple’s lawsuit alleges OpenAI orchestrated a systematic campaign to siphon confidential engineering plans. The tech giant is seeking an injunction on OpenAI’s hardware business, which could derail the startup’s broader roadmap — which reportedly includes wearables, home robotics, and an eventual smartphone replacement.
While OpenAI expects to unveil the speaker later this year, the looming 2027 launch date rests on navigating Apple’s legal offensive. OpenAI has denied the allegations, stating it has “no interest in other companies’ trade secrets” and remains focused on fair competition.
Apple is concurrently developing its own AI-heavy smart home center, code-named J490, featuring a 7-inch robotic display to showcase its upcoming Siri upgrade. As the boundary between software and physical hardware blurs, the living room is shaping up to be the ultimate battleground for the future of consumer AI.
