OpenAI’s Bold Leap Into Hardware: Sam Altman and Jony Ive’s Secretive Startup
Sam Altman and Jony Ive Are Building a Secret AI Device That Could Change Everything
Productivity Tech X
April 08, 2025
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In a move that could redefine the intersection of artificial intelligence and hardware, OpenAI is reportedly in talks to acquire io Products, a stealthy startup co-founded by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and legendary designer Jony Ive for up to $500 million.
The acquisition signals OpenAI’s ambition to expand beyond its AI software dominance and venture into consumer devices that could transform daily life.
The Vision: A New Kind of AI-Powered Device
While details about io Products’ flagship device remain under wraps, one thing is clear: it won’t be a traditional smartphone. Altman has previously dismissed the idea of creating “a better phone,” hinting instead at something entirely new.
The device is expected to leverage OpenAI’s cutting-edge artificial intelligence capabilities, potentially offering users a groundbreaking way to interact with technology in their everyday routines.
The project reflects a shared vision between Altman and Ive to create something that seamlessly integrates AI into people’s lives.
According to sources, the device aims to assist users with tasks in ways that feel intuitive, natural, and deeply personalized pushing the boundaries of what we currently expect from consumer electronics.
A Dream Team: Altman Meets Ive
The origins of io Products date back to an introduction between Altman and Ive orchestrated by Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky. Ive, the creative mind behind iconic Apple products like the iPhone and MacBook during his tenure as Chief Design Officer, brought his expertise to the table through his design studio, LoveFrom. Founded after his departure from Apple in 2019, LoveFrom has become a hub for some of the most talented engineers and designers in the industry.
Key figures at LoveFrom include Tang Tan, who led iPhone product design at Apple, and Evans Hankey, Ive’s successor as Apple’s design chief. Together with Altman, this team is crafting a device that could set new standards for design and functionality in the AI era.
Big Backers and Bigger Ambitions
io Products has already attracted high-profile investors, including Laurene Powell Jobs through her investment firm Emerson Collective. Reports suggest that the startup was on track to raise up to $1 billion by late 2024, a testament to the confidence investors have in its potential.
For OpenAI, acquiring io Products fits into a larger strategy of diversification. The company has been making moves beyond its flagship AI models like ChatGPT.
It is working on developing its own AI chips to reduce reliance on Nvidia and exploring web browser products aimed at challenging Google’s dominance. With io Products, OpenAI could establish itself as a leader not just in AI software but also in hardware innovation.
What’s Next?
If the deal goes through, it could mark a pivotal moment for both OpenAI and the tech industry at large.
By combining OpenAI’s expertise in artificial intelligence with Jony Ive’s unparalleled design sensibilities, io Products has the potential to deliver a device that redefines how we interact with technology.
As we wait for more details to emerge, one thing is certain: this partnership between Altman and Ive is one of the most exciting developments in tech today.
Whether it’s a wearable device, a home assistant, or something entirely unexpected, io Products may just be the next big thing and everyone is watching closely.
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