OpenAI is developing a mobile smart speaker without a screen that integrates with ChatGPT and includes mechanical parts that can move independently. The device was created with help from former Apple engineers and is designed to function as a "humanlike AI companion" with access to users' emails and digital information to provide personalized service. The project advances OpenAI's hardware ambitions while the company faces a lawsuit from Apple alleging theft of trade secrets.
OpenAI denied allegations in Apple's trade secret lawsuit, stating it has no evidence the complaint has merit and reaffirming its commitment to fair competition and employee freedom. Apple filed a 41-page complaint in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California on Friday, alleging that OpenAI employees who previously worked at Apple obtained confidential information, with specific focus on Chief Hardware Officer Tang Tan, who spent 24 years at Apple. OpenAI is reportedly developing a screen-free smart speaker device with input from former Apple engineers, which Apple claims may have used its confidential information in development.
Apple filed a lawsuit against OpenAI alleging intellectual property theft, potentially hampering OpenAI's plans to develop competing devices. OpenAI aims to release its first device product in 2027, but the legal action may discourage Apple employees from joining the company and slow recruitment. The lawsuit could delay OpenAI's hardware ambitions by making talent acquisition more difficult during a critical development phase.
Every AI story that matters,
in your inbox by 8am.
TLDRocket reads all relevant sources, removes duplicate coverage, and summarises the
day in two minutes. Follow companies and topics for alerts, or get the
briefing in Slack. Free, no spam, unsubscribe anytime.
Reading TLDRocket needs no cookies, and the readership counts we rely on come from
our own cookieless analytics. Google Analytics is the exception: it sets cookies and
reports to Google, so it stays switched off until you allow it. You can change your
mind any time from “Cookie settings” in the footer.
Strictly necessary
Session security and form protection (tldrocket-session,
XSRF-TOKEN, 2 hours). The site cannot work without them,
so they need no consent.
Always on
Google Analytics 4 (_ga,
_ga_<id>, up to 2 years). Measures which
stories and sections readers use. Google acts as a third-party processor and may
store the data outside the EU. No advertising, no profiling, no data sold.