Overview

• OpenAI has officially closed its $6.5 billion acquisition of io Products Inc., bringing the hardware startup into its San Francisco operations.
• A trademark lawsuit by hearing device maker Iyo prompted OpenAI to temporarily remove its acquisition announcement, which has since been restored.
• The io Products team has merged with OpenAI while Jony Ive’s LoveFrom remains independent and assumes deep design and creative responsibilities.
• OpenAI is expanding beyond software to develop a new generation of AI-native hardware devices.
• Unconfirmed reports indicate the first product may be a pocket-sized, screen-free gadget that adapts to users’ environments and needs.