OpenAI Acquires iPhone Designer Jony Ive's Firm Amid Rumors of Screenless Phone

OpenAI on Wednesday announced the $6.5 billion acquisition of IO, a technology design company founded by former Apple design chief Jony Ive, reinvigorating rumors that the company is looking to produce an AI-centric smartphone. Best known for helping design Apple's iPhone, Ive and 55 other employees coming over from IO will take over creative and design oversight across the entirety of OpenAI. According to a report from the Wall Street Journal, this will include having a design hand in everything from "future versions of ChatGPT to audio features, its app and other products, according to people familiar with the matter." Founded after Ive left Apple in 2019, IO's original intention was to develop a new line of AI-powered products. The marriage of OpenAI and IO has been rumored to center around a new screenless smartphone. Last month, IO denied that a phone was in the works, while OpenAI did not comment. The Wall Street Journal noted in its report that "people familiar with the matte ... Read full article.