OpenAI’s first major hardware bet could look less like a smartphone and more like a doughnut-shaped computer small enough to hold in one hand.
The company is reportedly developing a screen-free AI device roughly the size of a hockey puck, Bloomberg reported, citing people familiar with the project. The portable gadget could cost $300 to $400 and is reportedly slated for release in 2027, although OpenAI has not confirmed its product plans.
More interesting than its shape is what OpenAI reportedly wants it to replace. Rather than positioning the device as another smart speaker, the company is said to view it as an AI-first computer — and part of a longer-term push to make smartphones less central to everyday computing.
Designed to feel more alive
The reported device would include speakers, microphones, cameras, and other sensors that allow it to understand its surroundings. Unlike today’s stationary smart speakers, it is expected to be battery-powered and portable enough to move from room to room.
Bloomberg reported that the gadget will feature moving parts that activate during interactions, along with lights that indicate when it is listening or responding. The goal is to make conversations with the AI feel more natural and personal over time.
The product is being developed with LoveFrom, the design studio founded by former Apple design chief Jony Ive, whose previous work includes the iPhone, iPad, iPod, and Apple Watch.
Part of a larger hardware strategy
The speaker-like device is reportedly only the first step in a broader hardware push. Bloomberg said OpenAI ultimately wants to build a family of AI-powered products and eventually create devices that could reduce users’ dependence on smartphones.
That would put OpenAI in more direct competition with companies such as Amazon and Google, which currently dominate the smart speaker market.
The Apple lawsuit hangs over the project
The reported hardware plans come as OpenAI and Apple remain locked in a legal dispute over alleged trade-secret and intellectual-property violations.
Apple has accused OpenAI of improperly benefiting from confidential information and supplier relationships related to metal-finishing techniques. OpenAI has denied the allegations. In a recent court filing, the company argued that it is “building something entirely new and different from anything at Apple,” according to Bloomberg.
An injunction requested by Apple could complicate OpenAI’s hardware plans if granted, Bloomberg reported.
What this could mean for consumers
If the reported device arrives as described, it would represent a different approach from current voice assistants. Instead of acting mainly as a speaker that answers questions, it would function as a dedicated AI companion that learns from daily interactions and can be carried throughout the home.
The biggest question is whether consumers will pay several hundred dollars for a screen-free AI device when ChatGPT and other assistants already run on phones they own. A premium price may help OpenAI position the product as a new computing category, but it also raises the bar for usefulness, privacy protections, and everyday convenience.
Related News: OpenAI is also expanding free ChatGPT access with GPT-5.6 Luna, unlimited text chats, and a new Think mode for more complex prompts.