OpenAI's First Device With Jony Ive Is a Battery-Powered Smart Speaker Launching in 2027

OpenAI and designer Jony Ive are collaborating on a portable smart speaker that will mark Ive's first product with the AI company. According to Bloomberg reporting by Mark Gurman, the unnamed device is a battery-powered, roughly hockey puck-sized speaker without a display that is expected to reach consumers in 2027 at a price exceeding $300.

Design and Physical Features#

The gadget carries a distinctive doughnut shape and incorporates animated design elements that set it apart from typical tech accessories. Moving components will respond dynamically to user interactions, lighting up or shifting position to signal when the device is actively processing requests or engaging with users. The device also includes embedded cameras and various sensors alongside its audio capabilities, and the overall form factor allows it to be easily carried from room to room with a single hand—a feature Gurman's sources emphasized as central to its appeal.

Voice Interaction and Capabilities#

The speaker will leverage OpenAI's conversational technology in a form more sophisticated than the voice mode already available in ChatGPT smartphone applications. By implementing more advanced versions of OpenAI's models, the device aims to deliver more natural, nuanced back-and-forth dialogue. Functionally, it positions itself as a pocket-sized personal assistant powered by AI, operating without the need for a connected display.

Market Position and Future Plans#

The device arrives amid ongoing legal tensions between Apple and OpenAI, though the new hardware diverges stylistically from Apple's design language. This first product may represent the opening chapter of a broader hardware strategy—Gurman's sources suggest OpenAI envisions a wider "family of devices" in the pipeline, though additional details are expected to emerge before the 2027 launch window arrives.