OpenAI targets 2027 launch for first hardware device amid Apple legal dispute
The tech giant plans to release a screenless, sensor-equipped companion powered by GPT-Live, but an ongoing trade secret lawsuit from Apple may impact the timeline.
OpenAI is preparing to release its first hardware product, a rechargeable AI speaker, with a planned launch in 2027. According to a report by Bloomberg, the device is designed to function as a "humanlike" companion, featuring natural voice interaction, smart home control capabilities, and mechanical elements to simulate life. The speaker will lack a screen but will include a camera and sensors to gather contextual data about the user’s surroundings for personalised responses.
The device will be powered by an advanced version of the GPT-Live model, the same architecture behind ChatGPT’s recently launched voice mode. This technology enables the speaker to listen and speak simultaneously, allowing it to process new information and adapt naturally during conversations. OpenAI intends for the device to be portable, enabling users to move it between rooms to assist with tasks such as cooking instructions or audio playback.
To assist with the device's design, OpenAI acquired io, a startup founded by former Apple designer Jony Ive, for $6.5 billion in 2025. The company has reportedly hired more than 400 former Apple employees to support its hardware ambitions. Among them is Paul Meade, the executive who previously led the development of the Vision Pro headset, who now heads OpenAI’s new hardware division.
The 2027 release date is subject to potential delays due to an ongoing legal dispute with Apple. Apple has filed a lawsuit alleging trade secret theft, claiming that former employees Chang Liu and Tang Yew Tan downloaded confidential hardware files. The lawsuit also accuses io of complicity and alleges that OpenAI’s hiring practices were aimed at soliciting confidential information from Apple.
Apple is currently seeking a court injunction to halt OpenAI’s hardware products, citing the alleged theft of technical specifications and proprietary data for unreleased products. The tech giant contends that OpenAI’s interview process evolved specifically to extract additional confidential details from former staff. The outcome of these legal proceedings remains undetermined and could significantly impact the timeline for the AI speaker's market entry.
