OpenAI’s high-stakes foray into consumer devices would reportedly start with a mobile, screen-free smart speaker designed as an AI companion capable of controlling smart home appliances.
The device is still under development and would act as a home companion that can not only control appliances but also play media, respond to messages and questions, as well as capitalize on the range of offerings by OpenAI’s ChatGPT, reported Mark Gurman of Bloomberg on Tuesday.
The device’s communication capabilities would tap into the recently rolled-out GPT-Live, a more advanced version of the AI model. It would be able to process information faster and give more natural responses to conversations. The speaker-like product would also include a camera and sensors, making it easier to understand the user’s surroundings and overall context, offering an edge over the existing smart speakers.
The report, however, added that the exact specifications could change over the period of product development, subject to an underlying legal process.
OpenAI did not immediately respond to Benzinga‘s request for comments.
The OpenAI-Apple Showdown
The report comes on the heels of Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) filing a lawsuit against OpenAI on Friday, accusing the company of using the iPhone maker’s trade secrets to expedite the development of its own consumer device. The Tim Cook-led company alleged that Tang Tan, OpenAI’s Chief Hardware Officer, also a former Apple vice president, used job interviews to extract confidential details from Apple employees.
The lawsuit marked a sharp contrast to the 2024 collaboration to incorporate ChatGPT into the iPhone’s software.
In May 2025, OpenAI embarked on building hardware, including a $6.4 billion purchase of former Apple designer Jony Ive’s startup, IO Products. Earlier this year, a report also indicated that OpenAI is shifting its first AI hardware project from Luxshare to Foxconn Technology Group, also known as Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd (OTC:HNHAF), in a bid to accelerate the launch of the Jony Ive–designed consumer device.
That being said, in a separate post on X, Bloomberg’s Gurman said that Apple has “nothing like” OpenAI’s under-development consumer device in the market yet.
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