Overview
- Apple confirmed the purchase of Israeli audio AI firm Q.ai but did not disclose the price.
- Financial Times reporting places the deal near $2 billion, which would rank as Apple’s second-largest acquisition after Beats.
- Q.ai’s technology focuses on filtering background noise and detecting quiet or whispered speech to make voice recognition more reliable.
- Reports say Q.ai’s founding team, including CEO Aviad Maizels, will join Apple to integrate the company’s audio and imaging expertise.
- Coverage highlights Q.ai patent work on facial skin micro-movements and situates the deal within Apple’s mix of in-house AI development and use of Google’s Gemini models.