The announcement of renowned Apple designer Jony Ive collaborating with OpenAI to develop the initial hardware tailored for ChatGPT sparked widespread speculation.
Speculation centered on the form of this pioneering ChatGPT device. Sources indicated it would avoid incorporating a display, with Ive and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman offering limited details. Instead, it was envisioned as a compact, pocket-sized 'pebble' serving as a supplementary gadget that senses its environment.
Details from a purported leaked OpenAI meeting revealed Altman describing the invention as the most impressive technology ever created, while Ive referred to it as the start of an innovative era in design.
Although ambitious ChatGPT hardware remains under development, recent insights suggest the earliest release will be a conventional smart speaker.
This audio device, potentially launching in February 2027, is said to feature a built-in camera and retail for $200 to $300, based on information from The Information citing unidentified insiders.
Additional OpenAI projects reportedly encompass intelligent eyewear and possibly an AI-enhanced lamp, though the eyewear launch is projected for 2028 or beyond.
OpenAI has not responded to the publication's claims, and details from unnamed sources warrant cautious consideration.
Should the inaugural OpenAI offering turn out to be an enhanced smart speaker integrated with ChatGPT, it could disappoint enthusiasts. Comparable products like the Google Nest Hub Max with Gemini or the Alexa-equipped Echo Dot often see limited daily interaction, mainly for basic functions such as photo displays.
Opportunities for meaningful AI engagement via smart speakers appear limited, much like the somewhat awkward voice interactions in ChatGPT's audio feature or Gemini Live on smartphones. While ChatGPT proves valuable for productivity on computers, its application in stationary audio units raises questions about practicality.
The anticipated ChatGPT-enabled smart glasses align more closely with concepts of wearable tech that collects environmental data, yet OpenAI would enter a competitive landscape dominated by players like Meta and potentially Apple.
A ChatGPT-infused smart lamp represents a more unconventional approach, echoing previous integrations of lighting and speaker functionalities in home devices.
True innovation may lie in the teased pocket-sized ChatGPT device.
Ben has covered technology and consumer gadgets for over two decades. Since 2014, he has contributed to PCWorld and joined TechHive in 2019, addressing topics from audio systems and speakers to lighting solutions and surveillance equipment. His work has featured in PC Magazine, TIME, Wired, CNET, Men's Fitness, Mobile Magazine, and other outlets. He possesses a master's in English literature.