OpenAI to launch screenless AI speaker, eyes South Korea as testbed

OpenAI has outlined a hardware roadmap that begins with a small, screenless smart speaker built in partnership with former Apple design chief Jony Ive. The battery‑powered device, equipped with a camera and moving mechanical parts, is intended to act as a mobile household AI companion and is slated for early 2027 with a price of $200‑$300. A later AI‑native smartphone is also planned for release around 2027‑2028.

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has expressed a desire to use South Korea as a testbed for the speaker, following a meeting with President Lee Jae‑Myung in San Francisco. The proposal was confirmed by a South Korean presidential office spokesperson, although details of the trial remain unclear. The rollout faces potential legal hurdles, including a trademark dispute that could delay shipments until late February 2027 and an Apple lawsuit alleging trade‑secret theft by OpenAI’s hardware team.