OpenAI is deep in discussions to potentially acquire io Products, the AI hardware startup co-founded by former Apple design legend Jony Ive and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman. According to a report from The Information, the deal could be worth around $500 million if it goes through.
The move would mark OpenAI’s biggest push into consumer hardware yet. While nothing is finalized, sources say both sides are seriously exploring a deal that could shape the future of AI-powered devices. Another option on the table is a strategic partnership, allowing the two companies to work together without a full buyout.
io Products has been quietly building futuristic hardware that blends AI with sleek, user-first design. With funding from Laurene Powell Jobs’ Emerson Collective and a team that includes ex-Apple talents like Tang Tan and Evans Hankey, the startup has strong creative and technical firepower.
Although still operating in stealth mode, io Products is believed to be working on smart home tech and other consumer-friendly AI tools. Their goal? To create intelligent devices that feel natural and non-disruptive—unlike the smartphone, which transformed society but also introduced major downsides.
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Jony Ive, best known for crafting Apple’s most iconic designs, left the company in 2019 to launch his own firm, LoveFrom. His collaboration with Sam Altman signals a powerful crossover of design and AI expertise, aiming to rethink how people live and interact with technology.
Whether OpenAI buys the company outright or opts for a partnership, one thing’s clear: the future of AI isn’t just in software—it’s in beautifully designed hardware built to elevate everyday life.
