According to a Bloomberg report, OpenAI is working on its own smart speaker, which is intended to stand out from established devices such as the Apple HomePod or the Amazon Echo Studio. After initial details regarding price and launch date were leaked back in February, Bloomberg has now compiled further details that highlight two distinctive features of the device.
OpenAI: Moving Parts for More “Liveliness”
Unusual for a smart speaker: The device is said to feature motorized, moving parts. These are intended to give the speaker a more lively character when interacting with users—an approach that differs significantly from the mostly rigid enclosures of its competitors.
Deep Personalization via ChatGPT
The built-in voice assistant is said to be based on ChatGPT and to be significantly more personalized than, for example, Amazon Alexa. The device is designed to get to know its users over time and will be able to access personal information such as emails. A built-in camera and other sensors will also capture the user’s surroundings.
Portable Thanks to a Rechargeable Battery
Unlike traditional smart speakers, which are usually kept in one place permanently, the OpenAI speaker is designed to be easily carried from room to room thanks to its built-in battery. Classic features such as music playback and smart home control are also expected to be supported.
Jony Ive and Over 400 Former Apple Engineers on Board
The product is being developed with the support of Apple’s former head of design, Jonathan Ive, as well as more than 400 engineers whom OpenAI poached from Apple. Apple has already responded by filing a lawsuit accusing the company of attempting to copy the iPhone with a separate smartphone project. According to earlier reports, an official market launch is expected no earlier than 2027, at a price between $200 and $300.
