Jony Ive's Latest Project Could Be an AI 'Phone' Without a Screen

OpenAI is reportedly considering acquiring Jony Ive's AI hardware startup, io Products, for a potential $500 million. Io Products is developing AI-powered devices, including a screenless "phone," although some insist it is "not a phone." Ive and Altman have been collaborating for over a year on voice-enabled AI assistants for the project. The venture is currently funded by Ive and Emerson Collective and includes former Apple designers. OpenAI and io Products are also exploring partnership options instead of a full acquisition. The deal would give OpenAI access to both the technology and the engineering team building the device. Io Products would focus on hardware, OpenAI on AI, and LoveFrom on design. An AI hardware venture would place OpenAI in direct competition with Apple, despite their current Siri-ChatGPT partnership. The AI voice assistant market is becoming competitive, with several companies developing voice capabilities. Ive left Apple in 2019 and concluded his consulting partnership with them in 2022.