Sam Altman's Openai reportedly considered buying a startup that former Apple Design Guru Jony Ive runs for at least $500 million.
ive – Best known for working with the late Apple co-founder Steve Jobs on many of the company's most iconic product designs, including the iPhone, but since 2023, he has been working with Altman on the development of AI-driven hardware devices for startups known as IO products.
Currently, ChatGpt makers are discussing the “complete acquisition” of the company, among other options. information Reported on Monday, citing sources with first-hand knowledge of the consultation.
If the deal moves forward, Openai, which recently secured $40 billion in new funding at a $300 billion valuation, will consolidate its design team working on AI hardware devices, the report added.
This startup can compete directly with Apple. Apple is significantly promoting AI integration for its flagship iPhones, but it is struggling to implement advanced technology.
The AI-powered hardware was called “personal devices,” but sources say the company is not yet settled on its final design.
Some reportedly describe the product as an AI-powered smartphone with no screens, while others argue that it is “not a phone.”
Openai declined to comment.
Altman has been working with Ive informally on the planning, but is not considered a co-founder of IO products. It is unknown if he is an investor.
Ive left Apple in 2019 and founded his own design company called Lovefrom.
Last year, he confirmed for the first time in an interview with the New York Times that he was working with Altman on an AI hardware project.
Ive and Altman are reportedly debating how such devices can use AI for daily tasks such as booking trips and identifying a particular plant from photos that go beyond traditional smartphone capabilities.
San Francisco-based IO products coached Tang Tan, who led the team responsible for iPhone design and Apple Watch, and Evans Hankey, who took over from Ive as Apple's top designer before leaving in 2023.
Last month, the boss of the Apple team, who is responsible for SIRI digital assistant, called the iPhone's “ugi” promised AI capabilities delay, and employees described SNAFU as “embarrassing” and “embarrassing.”
The company has postponed the release of SIRI's AI overhaul and resolved the bug.
