Media : OpenAI is considering buying io Products, a startup owned by Sam Altman and former Apple chief designer Jony Ive
Interesting information has emerged about a startup called io Products, which is working on an "AI smartphone without a screen" and "AI-enabled household devices".
Here's What We Know
The Information reported that OpenAI, the world's leading developer of artificial intelligence, is interested in io Products' projects. The value of a possible deal is estimated at about $500 million.
It is noteworthy that the founders of io Products are the former chief designer of Apple Jony Ive and ... CEO of OpenAI Sam Altman, which in the case of a possible deal will be present on both sides.
Nothing is known about the io Products device, except that it will be "not a smartphone" but something conceptually different.
The startup previously received funding from the non-profit organisation Emerson Collective, but the amount of the investment was not disclosed. The question of buying io Products OpenAI has not yet been decided, the company may decide to limit itself to investing in the project and not acquire it.
Recall that in 2024 on the market appeared devices that can be called "smartphones without a screen" - AI Pin and Rabbit R1, they were based on ChatGPT, which performed the tasks of a voice assistant, but both gadgets were a failure.
Source: The Information
