OpenAI is releasing a doughnut-shaped smart speaker priced above $300 as its first hardware device, according to reporting from Bloomberg. The device features moving parts and is hockey-puck sized.
The speaker marks OpenAI's entry into consumer hardware after building its business primarily on API access and the ChatGPT application. The move places the company in direct competition with Amazon's Echo line, Google Home, and Apple's HomePod, each of which has established significant installed bases in the smart speaker market. AI companies are increasingly seeking hardware channels to distribute their software and embed their models deeper into user workflows.
OpenAI has not publicly detailed the speaker's capabilities or feature set beyond its form factor. The doughnut design with moving parts incorporates physical controls or status indicators beyond traditional speaker interfaces. The company has been exploring consumer hardware for several years through partnerships and prototypes but has not previously released a device under its own brand.
The $300-plus price point positions the device in the premium segment. Apple's HomePod mini starts at $99, while full-size HomePod units retail for $299. Amazon's high-end Echo Studio costs $200. OpenAI is targeting either a feature-rich experience or customers willing to pay for brand and software differentiation.
OpenAI's hardware ambitions extend beyond speakers. The company has been exploring robotics and other form factors, though no additional product launches have been announced. The speaker release represents the company's entry into building a complete hardware ecosystem rather than remaining purely a software and services provider.
OpenAI did not respond to requests for comment on the device specifications, availability date, or feature roadmap. No public announcement or pre-order window has been set. The speaker's actual market positioning and adoption will depend on whether OpenAI bundles exclusive features with the device or uses it primarily as a bridge to its existing applications and API ecosystem.
The device enters a market where voice assistants saw declining unit sales in 2024 and 2025 as smartphone integration deepened. Standalone smart speakers in the United States have contracted during this period. OpenAI's entry into hardware will either accelerate adoption or face the same adoption ceiling that has constrained competitors. The document to watch is OpenAI's formal product announcement, which should detail the speaker's exclusive features and API integrations.
