Summary:
OpenAI merges with Jony Ive's startup io in a $6.5 billion deal
Jony Ive and LoveFrom remain independent post-merger
First collaborative product to be unobtrusive, portable, and context-aware
Product confirmed not to be a phone or glasses
Jony Ive's legacy includes iconic Apple products and founding LoveFrom
OpenAI has officially merged with Jony Ive's startup, io, in a deal reportedly worth $6.5 billion. This strategic move was announced back in May, marking a significant milestone in the AI and design industries.
Key Details of the Merger
- Jony Ive and his LoveFrom design studio will remain independent, continuing their innovative work outside of this merger.
- io's co-founders, including Scott Cannon, Evans Hankey, and Tang Tan, along with approximately 50 engineers, designers, and researchers, have transitioned to become OpenAI employees.
What's Next?
OpenAI and Ive are currently collaborating on "a family of AI products for everyone." Earlier hints suggest their first product will be:
- Unobtrusive
- Portable
- Fully aware of its surroundings and the user's actions
Interestingly, it's confirmed that this product won't be a phone or a pair of glasses, debunking initial speculations.
A Brief Background on Jony Ive
For those unfamiliar, Jony Ive was a pivotal figure at Apple, working closely with Steve Jobs to create some of the most iconic tech products. After leaving Apple in 2019 to form LoveFrom, Ive and Apple eventually parted ways in 2022.
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