OpenAI and former Apple designer Jony Ive are reportedly building a doughnut-shaped smart speaker, expected to launch in 2027 for over $300 (USD). It matters because it marks OpenAI's first physical product, a bet that AI needs its own hardware, not just apps.
What actually happened
According to The Verge, citing Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman, the device is 'essentially a smart speaker without a display.' It is battery powered, doughnut shaped, and roughly the size of a hockey puck. OpenAI reportedly plans to launch it in 2027 for a price above $300 (USD). Gurman's sources say it will have moving parts, including some that move on their own to signal when it is listening or responding. It will also include lights, a camera system, and other sensors. The device is designed to be carried around the home with one hand, similar to Amazon's discontinued Tap speaker. It reportedly works like ChatGPT's voice mode on smartphone apps, but with more advanced models for humanlike interaction.
How we got here
OpenAI has said little in public about hardware plans. OpenAI's president has said the company is 'building a family of devices' for its chatbots, and Sam Altman has said the project 'won't be your weird AI girlfriend,' according to reporting referenced by The Verge. This speaker would reportedly be the first device in that planned lineup. Ive, a former Apple designer, is working with OpenAI even as the company faces an ongoing lawsuit involving Apple. Gurman's sources say the device will look and feel nothing like an Apple product.
Why this matters for you
For users, this signals that AI companies see voice-first, screenless hardware as a real interface, not just an app on a phone. For builders, OpenAI entering hardware could push Amazon, Google, and Apple to speed up their own ambient AI devices, including smart glasses. For readers tracking wearable and AR hardware, a screenless AI speaker supports the wider bet that ambient computing, not screens, becomes the next platform layer. It also shows AI companies want direct hardware revenue, not just subscriptions.
The bigger question
OpenAI is betting on screenless, voice-first hardware years after smart speakers first went mainstream. Will this format become the default way people talk to AI, replacing phone apps entirely? Or will it stay one device among many, competing with smart glasses, phones, and existing speakers for a narrow slot in daily routines?
What to watch
No confirmed launch date exists beyond a 2027 target reported in August 2026. Pricing above $300 (USD) is not finalized, and OpenAI has not confirmed the report itself. Bonuz will track official confirmation from OpenAI and details on the wider 'family of devices' as they emerge, alongside how this shapes competition in wearable and ambient AI hardware.
