via The Verge AI
Jony Ive's First OpenAI Device Surfaces as a Hockey Puck-Sized Smart Speaker
Legendary designer Jony Ive, known for his transformative work at Apple, is reportedly collaborating with OpenAI on a new type of AI hardware. According to a recent Bloomberg report, Ive's first gadget under this partnership is a smart speaker roughly the size of a hockey puck, with a distinctive "doughnut-shaped" design.
The device, which could debut as early as next year, is expected to be priced at over $300. This marks a significant foray into consumer AI hardware, blending Ive's minimalist aesthetic with OpenAI's advanced language models. As of 2026, the smart speaker market is evolving rapidly, with increasing emphasis on ambient computing and personalized AI assistants—an area where Ive's design philosophy could offer a fresh take.
The report suggests that the product aims to deliver an intuitive, voice-first experience, potentially integrating OpenAI's ChatGPT technology, but adapted for a more conversational, always-on interaction. While specific features remain under wraps, industry analysts speculate that the device could set a new benchmark for how AI tools are integrated into daily life, focusing on simplicity and elegance rather than raw processing power.
For now, fans of both Ive and OpenAI will have to wait for official announcements, but the news already signals a promising convergence of high-end design and cutting-edge AI, poised to reshape the consumer tech landscape in the coming year.