OpenAI may launch a ChatGPT smart speaker as its first hardware product

OpenAI is getting ready to step into hardware. According to a Bloomberg report, its first product could be a smart speaker built specifically around ChatGPT.

OpenAI is widely recognised for ChatGPT. Soon, however, the company may also sell consumer hardware. This ambition has already been confirmed publicly, and OpenAI is working with Jony Ive, Apple’s former head of design, to shape its upcoming devices. For now, the details remain tightly under wraps, so nobody knows what the first OpenAI product will be. Even so, a fresh rumour suggests the debut device may be a smart speaker.

Bloomberg wrote on Tuesday that, based on people familiar with the matter, OpenAI is developing a ChatGPT-focused speaker. The rumour appeared to move the market straight away: Sonos shares suddenly dropped before recovering.

OpenAI hardware: what this ChatGPT smart speaker could offer

A portable, battery-powered assistant for around the home

In essence, OpenAI would be building a battery-powered speaker that you could carry from room to room and use to interact with ChatGPT by voice. It would answer questions and, as a productivity tool, could also tap into apps such as the user’s email. The device would additionally be able to connect with other smart-home products.

A rival to Google, Amazon, Apple - and Sonos

Put simply, it would go up against speakers sold by Google, Amazon and Apple, as well as multi-room audio products like those from Sonos. Bloomberg also reports that the OpenAI speaker would include a mechanical component that can move, creating the impression that the speaker is “alive”.

The announcement is said to be planned for this year, with a possible launch in 2027.

In the meantime, OpenAI is refining its voice AI

For now, this information should be treated cautiously, as nothing has been made official. At this stage, OpenAI could still change course. That said, the rumour is circulating just as the maker of ChatGPT has unveiled a major update to its voice experience.

A week ago, the company introduced the GPT-Live models, designed to make spoken interactions with its AI smoother and more natural. GPT-Live can also handle more complex requests because it is able to pass the processing of questions to more powerful non-voice models.

GPT-Live is already improving the experience for users of ChatGPT’s voice mode. This upgraded voice AI could also become a key building block for future OpenAI products - particularly if a smart speaker is indeed on the way.