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OpenAI’s doughnut-shaped speaker could cost $400

Is a talking, moving AI about to make our homes feel more “alive”? Or is it just another gadget?

OpenAI’s upcoming smart speaker will likely be priced at over £250, according to sources cited by Bloomberg. The device, reportedly shaped like a doughnut and roughly the size of a hockey puck, is being positioned as an AI-first replacement for smartphones. Unlike its simpler counterparts, it aims to help users complete tasks with more advanced models for human-like interactivity.


The speaker will feature moving parts that animate when responding to prompts, aiming to create a sense of life in what would otherwise be a static device. It will also integrate with smart home devices and reportedly have high-quality metal and other premium materials, designed by LoveFrom, the studio owned by former Apple designer Jony Ive.


The move comes as Apple is currently suing OpenAI over alleged trade secret theft for hardware development. Bloomberg sources say that following this lawsuit, an internal probe at OpenAI determined that the speaker does not use any of Apple’s intellectual property.


This ambitious venture into consumer electronics could be seen as a bold step for OpenAI beyond their core AI research, aiming to create a product that feels more engaging and interactive than current smart speakers. But with such high costs, it remains to be seen if consumers will embrace the idea of an AI-filled doughnut in their homes.

Original source:  https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2026/08/openais-expensive-smart-speaker-will-use-moving-parts-to-seem-more-alive/
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