OpenAI responds to Apple lawsuit with new hardware details

The legal dispute between Apple and OpenAI over alleged theft of Apple's trade secrets is progressing through the U.S. judicial system. After Apple filed a lawsuit and sought a preliminary injunction, OpenAI submitted its official answer, requesting the court to immediately dismiss the case (case number 5:26-cv-07078, US District Court, Northern District of California, San Jose Division). OpenAI argues that Apple mischaracterizes the actions of its employees, about 400 of whom came directly from Apple, and that the company followed industry-wide recruiting standards in job interviews. OpenAI denies Apple's claims that it tried to get candidates to bring prototypes, saying such claims lack context. The response also states the lawsuit was filed without adequate investigation and is 'rotten to the core,' a phrase previously used by Apple about OpenAI's hardware division. OpenAI's lawyers say Apple should not be allowed to use an unfounded lawsuit to compensate for its deficiencies in the skilled labor market. The case will continue in October, when a hearing on Apple's preliminary injunction request will be held, and OpenAI has until August 17 to respond to that motion. Apple is also suing two former Apple employees directly. In the meantime, Bloomberg reports new details about OpenAI's potential first hardware device: it will be shaped like a donut or hockey puck, cost over $300, and be a smart speaker without a display, but with lights, visible speaker grilles, and components that move on their own. The device is said to be portable and battery-operated, working in various positions such as in the user's hand, on a nightstand, or in the kitchen. It will be powered by ChatGPT's voice mode, already available for smartphones.