OpenAI's doughnut-shaped AI speaker targets 2027 at $300–$400
OpenAI reportedly plans a displayless, battery-powered smart speaker priced at $300–$400.
OpenAI is reportedly building a dedicated AI hardware device: a doughnut-shaped, displayless smart speaker expected to cost between $300 and $400, with a tentative 2027 release. According to Bloomberg and TechCrunch, the battery-powered device is roughly the size of a hockey puck and comes equipped with cameras, sensors, lights, and moving components. The lack of a display is a deliberate design choice — conversation becomes the main interface, powered by a more advanced version of ChatGPT Voice Mode and next-generation AI models. The moving parts may enable physical reactions during interactions, though specifics remain unclear.
This device is not meant to compete with Amazon Echo or Google Nest. Instead, OpenAI's premium pricing and hardware ambitions signal a strategic move: to control the entire AI interaction layer, bypassing smartphones, keyboards, and operating systems dominated by Apple, Google, and Samsung. By placing an always-available, voice-first assistant on the table, OpenAI aims to eliminate the friction of opening an app or typing a prompt. The reported involvement of Jony Ive, Apple's former design chief, underscores the focus on form factor and user experience. If successful, this could shift the battle for AI from software platforms to physical devices — and make ChatGPT a constant ambient presence in daily life.
- Expected price of $300–$400 with a 2027 launch target, per Bloomberg and TechCrunch reports.
- Doughnut-shaped, hockey-puck-sized, battery-powered hardware with no display, plus cameras, sensors, and moving components.
- Runs an advanced ChatGPT Voice Mode, aiming to replace screen-based interactions with persistent conversation.
Why It Matters
OpenAI's hardware push could shift AI from phone apps to an always-available, voice-first interface, changing how professionals interact with AI daily.