Apple just made its largest acquisition in over a decade to step up its rivalry with Meta, OpenAI and Google in the AI wearables arena.
The Financial Times reports that the iPhone maker has acquired Israeli tech startup Q.AI for nearly $2 billion, marking Apple’s biggest purchase since it acquired Beats in 2014 for $3 billion.
Q.AI has patents showing that its technology is being used in headphones or glasses to analyze “facial micro skin movements” to communicate without speaking. Apple can integrate the tech’s ability to understand “silent speech” into wearables like glasses or headphones, allowing users to communicate with an AI assistant without talking.
During Apple’s latest earnings call, CEO Tim Cook highlighted that the company is committed to bringing private and personalized AI experiences.
“Let me just say that we are bringing intelligence to more of what people love, and we are integrating it across the operating system in a personal and private way. And I think that by doing so, it creates great value, and that opens up a range of opportunities across our products and services.”
The acquisition puts Apple in the thick of the AI wearables race alongside Meta, OpenAI and Google.
Last week, Meta chief global affairs officer Joel Kaplan revealed that the social media titan plans to deliver “Personal Superintelligence” to billions of users by leveraging its “real lead” on wearables.
Earlier this month, reports emerged that former Apple design chief Jony Ive is spearheading OpenAI’s efforts to create a pen-sized wearable equipped with a mic and camera.
In December, Google said it is working with Warby Parker and Gentle Monster to design lightweight, fashion-forward AI glasses built for all-day use.
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