OpenAI has successfully finalized its acquisition of io Products Inc., the hardware startup co-founded by renowned designer Jony Ive. The deal, valued at nearly $6.5 billion, was confirmed in an announcement made on Wednesday.
Initially, the announcement of this acquisition appeared on OpenAI’s website but was subsequently removed due to a trademark dispute involving Iyo, a hearing device startup that emerged from Google’s innovation lab.
The announcement has now been reinstated, featuring a revised message: “We’re excited to announce that the io Products, Inc. team has officially joined OpenAI. Jony Ive and LoveFrom will maintain their independence while taking on extensive design and creative roles within OpenAI.”
OpenAI had previously disclosed plans to develop specialized AI hardware alongside the acquisition. This was accompanied by a video featuring CEO Sam Altman and Jony Ive, which has since been removed from the company’s online platforms due to the ongoing lawsuit. “The io team, dedicated to crafting innovative products that inspire and empower, will now integrate closely with OpenAI’s research, engineering, and product teams based in San Francisco,” the updated blog post notes.
