OpenAI is developing a battery-powered, doughnut-shaped smart speaker — its first hardware product — designed in partnership with LoveFrom, the design studio founded by former Apple designer Jony Ive, with an expected launch in 2027 at a price above $3004.
The device is "essentially a smart speaker without a display," roughly the size of a hockey puck, and constructed from high-quality metal with a premium aesthetic, according to Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman1. Reports indicate the unit could cost between $300 and $4003. For comparison, most of Amazon's smart home speakers range from $40 on the low end to $240 on the high end.
The speaker will feature moving parts — some of which will move autonomously to signal when the device is responding or interacting with a user — along with lights, a camera system, and other sensors. It is battery-powered and designed to be portable within the home, allowing users to carry it from room to room and place it on surfaces like a bedside table or kitchen counter.
The device is described as the physical manifestation of ChatGPT, intended to further integrate the AI assistant into users' daily lives. LoveFrom, Jony Ive's studio, is the design partner on the project.
TechCrunch noted that smart speakers have historically not always been profitable and may prove a difficult market to break into, adding that the potentially high price point relative to existing products might not help.
ANALYSIS The reported price range of $300–$400 would place the device well above the ceiling of Amazon's current smart speaker lineup, positioning it as a premium product rather than a mass-market competitor. The inclusion of a camera system and sensors alongside voice interaction suggests OpenAI is targeting a broader ambient-computing use case beyond audio-only assistants. The partnership with LoveFrom signals a design-forward approach to hardware that prioritizes form factor and materials rather than competing on price.
The disclosure arrives as OpenAI's commercial relationship with Microsoft Corp. faces scrutiny; recent financial filings showed roughly 70% of Microsoft Corp.'s AI revenue is concentrated on OpenAI ctx.