Jony Ive and OpenAI develop a puck-shaped AI assistant

The device is expected to retail for over $300, positioning it as a premium entry into the home assistant market. Unlike static smart speakers, this unit features mechanical elements that shift on their own, providing visual feedback during conversations. Along with an integrated camera system and sophisticated sensor array, the hardware is intended to be carried easily from room to room, mirroring the utility of discontinued portable speakers like Amazon's Tap.

Functionally, the assistant will lean on OpenAI’s latest models to facilitate humanlike interaction, mirroring the capabilities of the ChatGPT voice mode currently found on mobile apps. While the project represents a significant departure from Apple’s design language, it serves as the potential cornerstone for a broader family of AI-driven hardware. Plans for the product remain in development, with further details expected to emerge well before the planned launch in three years.