OpenAI plans to release its first hardware product—a donut-shaped smart speaker, roughly hockey-puck sized—in 2027 for over $300.
The device will learn from conversations and adapt to users via a voice interface similar to ChatGPT's current voice mode.
Apple's lawsuit alleging OpenAI stole hardware trade secrets by poaching more than 400 employees could delay the launch; OpenAI denies the claims and says it has not violated any Apple intellectual property.
What happened
OpenAI is planning to release a battery-powered, screenless smart speaker shaped like a donut, roughly the size of a hockey puck, in 2027 at a price above $300. The device will have microphones, speakers, a camera system, and lights, and is designed to work like ChatGPT's current voice mode while learning from conversations and adapting to individual users.
Why it matters
OpenAI's first hardware product aims to bring conversational AI into the home in a form closer to the 'Her' vision Sam Altman has described—an assistant that feels more alive than existing smart speakers. However, Apple's lawsuit accusing OpenAI of stealing hardware trade secrets by hiring over 400 of its employees poses a risk; even if the suit fails, it could slow OpenAI's timeline enough to create operational strain. OpenAI denies the allegations and says it has not violated Apple intellectual property.
What to watch
The outcome of Apple's legal action will likely determine whether the 2027 launch holds. OpenAI has also signaled that more hardware products are planned to follow the smart speaker.
OpenAI is building its first consumer hardware product: a screenless smart speaker priced above $300, expected to arrive in 2027. The device takes a donut shape, is roughly the size of a hockey puck, and runs on battery power. Its physical features include microphones, speakers, a camera system, lights, and moving parts—more integrated sensory and tactile hardware than most existing smart speakers.
The speaker will operate as an extension of ChatGPT's voice mode, but with the added ability to learn from user interactions and adapt behavior to individual users over time. This is intended to make the assistant feel "more alive" than today's smart speakers, aligning with CEO Sam Altman's publicly stated aspiration to create an AI assistant in the mold of 'Her'—a deeply responsive, personalized companion. OpenAI has signaled that additional hardware products are planned to follow this initial release.
A significant obstacle looms, however. Apple has filed a lawsuit accusing OpenAI of acquiring over 400 of its employees and using the hire to steal hardware trade secrets. OpenAI has denied the allegations and stated that it has not violated any Apple intellectual property. Even if OpenAI prevails in court, the suit could materially slow the company's hardware development schedule, putting the startup in a precarious operational position. The article does not forecast the litigation outcome or assign a probability to delay, only flags the legal action as a credible risk to the 2027 timeline.
OpenAI's entry into hardware represents a significant step toward embodying CEO Sam Altman's long-stated vision of an AI assistant that resembles the autonomous companion in the film 'Her'—a system that feels more responsive and personalized than today's voice assistants. The timing, specifications, and price point ($300+) suggest OpenAI is positioning the device as a premium offering distinct from mainstream smart speakers. The addition of learning and adaptation capabilities, combined with visual and audio sensing, signals an intent to move beyond command-response interaction into a more conversational, continuous relationship.
However, the device's path to market faces a significant legal headwind. Apple's claim that OpenAI poached over 400 employees to steal hardware trade secrets creates uncertainty around the 2027 launch date. Even if OpenAI prevails—the company denies the allegations and asserts it has not violated Apple IP—the distraction and resources required for litigation could extend timelines or force prioritization tradeoffs. The body does not estimate the likelihood of delay, only that Apple's suit poses a risk sufficient to merit mention.
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