Overview
- Apple confirmed the acquisition and said Q.ai's founding team, including CEO Aviad Maizels, will join the company.
- The Financial Times reports a price near $2 billion, which would make it Apple’s second-largest purchase after Beats.
- Q.ai specializes in machine learning for audio, with Apple highlighting work that helps devices understand whispers and enhance sound in noisy environments.
- Patent filings describe optical detection of facial skin micro‑movements for "silent speech," with tech outlets suggesting potential uses in headphones or smart glasses connected to Siri.
- Founded in 2022 and backed by GV, Kleiner Perkins, Spark Capital and others, Q.ai’s addition is viewed as a targeted on‑device AI play alongside Apple’s separate use of Google’s Gemini for some features.