Alright, buckle up—this one’s wild. Jony Ive, yes, THE Jony Ive—the design mastermind who gave Apple its iconic look—is now officially teaming up with OpenAI, the brains behind ChatGPT. But this isn’t just a creative collab. OpenAI just spent a staggering $6.5 billion to fully acquire Ive’s mysterious AI hardware startup, “io.” So… what is io? What are they building? And are we about to see the next iPhone moment?
What Even Is “io”?
In early 2024, Jony Ive left Apple and started “io” with a handpicked team of 55 designers and engineers. The mission? Build beautiful, intelligent devices—not just another phone, but gadgets with AI baked in from the ground up. OpenAI had already invested, but now they’ve bought the entire team. Oh, and LoveFrom (Ive’s personal design studio) is tagging along too. It’s where design elegance meets AI genius.
Inside the $6.5B Deal
The deal dropped on May 21, 2025, and tech Twitter lost its collective mind. Jony Ive and Sam Altman (OpenAI’s CEO) are cooking up a whole “family of AI-native devices.” Sam even got his hands on an early prototype and called it “the coolest tech ever.” Ive is calling this his life’s work. They’ve been secretly working on this for two years—and something real might launch in 2026.
The Brains + Beauty Combo
OpenAI brings the brains: ChatGPT, DALL·E, Whisper—you know, the works. Jony brings the beauty. Put them together, and you get hardware that’s not just smart, but feels human. Imagine devices you talk to, wear, or that quietly assist with your daily life. Something like AirPods, but with superpowers. Something that doesn’t just respond—it understands.
So… What Are They Actually Building?
No one knows for sure, but the vision is clear: they want to reimagine how we interact with technology. Think wearable AI companions, creative boosters, or health-focused gadgets that blend into your life. They’re not rushing either—they’ve seen AI hardware flops and want to take the time to get it right. First product? 2026 is the big bet.
The Internet Reacts
Hype levels? Off the charts. Some are calling this the biggest shake-up since the iPhone. Others are skeptical—can anyone really top the smartphone? Still, the buzz is real. X (aka Twitter) is lit up with hot takes: “game-changer,” “next-gen tech,” “Apple better watch out.” And honestly? They might be onto something.
Final Thoughts: A Beautiful Risk
Whether this turns out to be legendary or a beautiful disaster, it’s clear: Jony Ive and OpenAI are swinging big. With $6.5B on the table, a design dream team, and AI’s brightest minds aligned, we could be witnessing the birth of something revolutionary. One thing’s for sure—we’re here for it.