What happened
OpenAI has assigned over 200 employees to develop a family of AI-powered hardware devices, starting with a smart speaker targeted for February 2027. According to The Information, initial device will cost an estimated $200 to $300 and include a camera to process visual data from user surroundings. Roadmap also includes smart glasses targeted for 2028 mass production and potentially a smart lamp. Hardware expansion follows OpenAI's $6.5 billion acquisition of former Apple designer Jony Ive's startup, io Products.
Why it matters
Controlling physical interface shifts OpenAI from an API provider to a direct competitor against Apple and Meta for ambient data collection. By embedding cameras in estimated $200 household speakers, OpenAI secures a proprietary pipeline for real-time visual and audio context. Building on January's strategic focus on audio AI, hardware roadmap signals a move away from browser-based chat. Privacy architects and hardware strategists must prepare for fragmented ecosystem where proprietary physical devices lock frontier models, preventing distribution through open platforms.
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