OpenAI Acquires Jony Ive’s io to Build AI-Powered Consumer Devices

OpenAI has acquired io, the hardware startup co-founded by legendary Apple designer Jony Ive, in an all-stock deal worth $6.5 billion. The acquisition marks OpenAI’s biggest yet and signals its push beyond software into consumer hardware. The deal brings in a team of 50+ hardware veterans, including former Apple engineers, and forms a dedicated hardware division at OpenAI. While details remain secret, reports suggest the team is developing a new class of AI-native devices that could go beyond screens, with a launch expected in 2026.