OpenAI has officially finalized its $6.5 billion acquisition of Jony Ive’s hardware startup, io Products Inc., marking a huge leap into the AI-powered hardware space. 
This deal, which had been under wraps for a while, is set to reshape how we interact with technology, blending cutting-edge AI with world-class design.
The collaboration has been in the works for quite some time, with OpenAI looking to push beyond software and venture into hardware that’s deeply integrated with AI. Jony Ive, Apple’s legendary former design head, has co-founded the startup, and his creative vision will now play a key role at OpenAI. While his independent design company, LoveFrom, remains autonomous, the io Products team will join OpenAI to help shape the future of AI-powered devices.
The first product from this collaboration is expected to be a pocket-sized device, far from the expected wearable. This device will be contextually aware, offering a more intuitive and seamless AI experience than anything we’ve seen before. It’s not about replacing the smartphone with just another device, but rather creating something that fundamentally changes how we interact with technology in our daily lives.
As the tech world watches eagerly, the merger represents a combination of creative brilliance and technological ambition, with big plans ahead for AI devices that blend form and function. The possibilities seem endless, and both OpenAI and Jony Ive are ready to show us what’s next.