OpenAI device will be ‘audio-based’ with new ChatGPT models, per report

A new report at The Information details the latest leaks and tidbits on OpenAI’s first hardware device, including plans for upgraded audio models for ChatGPT and more.

New audio models launching for ChatGPT soon ahead of the first OpenAI devices

Stephanie Palazzolo writes at The Information:

OpenAI is taking steps to improve its audio AI models, in preparation for its eventual release of an AI-powered personal device, said a person with knowledge of the effort. The device is expected to be largely audio-based, said three people with knowledge of it. […]

A new audio-model architecture produces responses that sound more natural and emotive and provide more accurate, in-depth answers, said the person with knowledge of the effort. The new audio model will also be able to speak at the same time as a human user, which today’s models can’t do, and will handle interruptions better, this person said. The company is aiming to release the new audio model in the first quarter of 2026

The report goes on to explain that OpenAI’s mystery hardware product still isn’t expected to launch for about another year.

It will also, as previously reported, be just the first of a family of devices being developed.

This ecosystem of products is expected to be entirely audio-focused. Palazzolo writes: “Among the ideas the company has discussed are glasses and a smart speaker without a display.”

9to5Mac’s Take

I’m eager to see how human-like OpenAI can make interactions with ChatGPT feel. Right now I never use voice mode, but not necessarily because of its current limitations. Rather, I’m rarely in environments without other people around, and thus text is a more fitting interaction method for me.

Building devices entirely around audio sounds risky, since I imagine I’m not alone in preferring text-based AI interactions. But I remain highly interested in the work Jony Ive, Sam Altman, and team are doing.

Would you want an OpenAI device that’s entirely audio focused? Let us know in the comments.

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