OpenAI's First Device Is a ChatGPT Smart Speaker With a Camera — And Jony Ive's Fingerprints

OpenAI's first consumer hardware device will be a screenless smart speaker with an AI camera, rechargeable battery, and mechanical moving parts — designed with Jony Ive, powered by GPT-Live, and targeting a 2027 launch.

OpenAI is taking its first real step into consumer hardware — and it is not a phone or a wearable. According to a Bloomberg report, the company behind ChatGPT plans to launch a screenless smart speaker that uses a camera and sensors to understand your environment.

The device, slated for a 2027 release, will run on GPT-Live — the upgraded voice model OpenAI announced just last week. It will feature a rechargeable battery for portability, smart home controls, media playback, and message handling. Bloomberg also reports the speaker will include mechanical elements that can move on their own to connect with users on a more humanlike level.

The hardware push comes with serious design pedigree. OpenAI acquired Jony Ive's design company, io Products, for nearly $6.5 billion, and the former Apple design chief is collaborating on what Bloomberg describes as a lineup of roughly five devices. Separately, OpenAI is teasing the Codex Micro — a gadget made with Work Louder — scheduled for release as soon as July 15.

The announcement lands in a heated moment. Just days ago, Apple sued OpenAI for allegedly stealing hardware trade secrets — a charge OpenAI says has no merit.

If the speaker delivers on its promises, it would position OpenAI directly against Amazon's Echo, Google's Nest, and Apple's HomePod — but with an AI-native foundation that none of the incumbents launched with. Whether consumers want a camera-equipped AI speaker that watches them back is the open question.

Sources: Bloomberg via The Verge, MacDailyNews