OpenAI announced on Wednesday that it has finalized a landmark deal, acquiring io Products, an AI hardware firm co-founded by former Apple Chief Design Officer Jonathan Ive, for approximately $6.5 billion in an all-stock transaction. This acquisition signifies OpenAI's official foray into the hardware sector and represents the company's largest-ever deal. The io team has seamlessly integrated into OpenAI, while Ive and his design studio LoveFrom will maintain their independence, continuing to contribute to design and innovation efforts.