OpenAI's first device could be a screenless AI companion

OpenAI's first consumer device will reportedly be a screenless AI speaker, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.

The device is being developed as what OpenAI describes internally as a new kind of home computer for the AI era. Instead of focusing on a display, it is designed to act as an always-available AI companion that users can talk to throughout the day.

According to Gurman, it will be able to control smart home devices, play media, answer questions, and reply to messages using ChatGPT.

The experience will rely on an advanced version of GPT-Live, OpenAI's new voice model. The system is expected to handle natural conversations by listening and speaking simultaneously while responding with much lower latency than previous voice assistants.

Bloomberg also reports that the device will include a camera and environmental sensors, allowing it to understand what is happening around it. A built-in battery will let users carry it from room to room instead of keeping it in a fixed location.

The AI companion is also expected to become increasingly personalized over time, using information such as emails to anticipate users' needs and provide more relevant assistance.

For OpenAI, the product represents a major step into consumer hardware as the company prepares for a potential IPO and takes on rivals including Apple, Amazon, and Google.

The project follows OpenAI's $6.5 billion acquisition of io Products and is being designed in collaboration with Jony Ive's studio, LoveFrom.

According to Gurman, OpenAI has told employees that the product should not be viewed as a competitor to Apple's HomePod. It is expected to be unveiled later this year, with a launch planned for 2027.