OpenAI’s debut hardware venture, a Jony Ive-designed smart speaker, faces immediate skepticism and comparisons to a HomePod-Furby hybrid amid rising tensions and legal drama with Apple. Picture: MARTIN LELIEVRE / AFP
OpenAI’s first foray into hardware may not be going quite as planned, as news of their upcoming smart speaker has been met with widespread skepticism.
Mashable describes the device as a cross between an Apple HomePod and a Furby. While the HomePod is Apple’s premium smart speaker, a Furby is a nostalgic, fluffy robotic toy known for its expressive, moving eyes and ears.
It is particularly interesting to note that Jony Ive, Apple’s former Chief Design Officer, is collaborating with OpenAI on this project. Consequently, the new product sounds remarkably similar to an existing device from his old company.
During his tenure at Apple, Ive played a foundational role in designing the iMac, iPod, iPhone, iPad, MacBook, and Apple Watch.
