OpenAI's inaugural hardware product is reportedly a screenless, doughnut-shaped speaker priced above $300, developed in collaboration with former Apple design chief Jony Ive and slated for release in 2027.
A Screenless Vision
The device marks OpenAI's first major push into consumer hardware, moving the artificial intelligence company beyond its software roots. According to reports, the gadget will forgo a traditional screen entirely, instead relying on a combination of cameras, lights, and moving parts to interact with users. The circular, doughnut-like form factor suggests a design meant to blend into everyday environments rather than demand constant attention.
The project stems from a partnership with Jony Ive's LoveFrom studio, the design firm founded by the man widely credited with shaping the look of the iPhone, iPad, and other landmark Apple products. That collaboration has fueled speculation that OpenAI aims to reinvent how people engage with AI in physical spaces.
A screenless AI companion could redefine how millions interact with technology in their homes.
What to Expect
With a price tag reportedly starting north of $300, the speaker would compete in a crowded market of smart home devices while promising a more advanced, AI-native experience. The 2027 timeline gives OpenAI ample runway to refine the hardware and integrate its language models directly into the product.
Details remain limited, but the emphasis on cameras and motion hints at a device capable of perceiving and responding to its surroundings in ways that go beyond conventional voice assistants. The lack of a display signals a deliberate bet on ambient, hands-free computing.
Key reported features include:
- A doughnut-shaped, screenless design
- Cameras, lights, and moving components
- A price starting above $300
- A targeted launch in 2027
For OpenAI, the move represents a significant strategic expansion, positioning the company to own both the software and the hardware layers of its AI offerings as competition in the sector intensifies.