OpenAI Enters the Hardware Business, The Challenges and Opportunities for Jony Ive, Takeaways from Google I/O 2025

Ben and Andrew react to the news that OpenAI is acquiring Jony Ive's hardware startup for $6.5 billion worth of stock, including questions about the form factor of future AI devices, challenges inherent to manufacturing hardware in 2025, the logic of these ambitions for OpenAI, and yes, a few words about the 9-minute video announcing the deal. At the end: Google's plans for its search business, Veo 3 and gen AI videos, and Ben's appearance on the Bill Simmons Podcast this week.

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OpenAI Acquires io, OpenAI’s Strategic Positioning, Apple’s Worsening AI Problem — Stratechery Update (stratechery.com/2025/openai-acquires-io-openai…)

OpenAI to Buy AI Device Startup From Apple Veteran Jony Ive in $6.5 Billion Deal — Bloomberg (bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-05-21/openai-…)

Sam & Jony introduce io — OpenAI (openai.com/sam-and-jony)

A conversation with Jony Ive — Stripe (YouTube) (youtube.com/watch?v=wLb9g_8r-mE)

Google I/O, The Search Funnel, Product Possibilities — Stratechery Update (stratechery.com/2025/google-i-o-the-search-fun…)

The Invincible OKC, Knicks Nirvana and Giannis Trades — The Bill Simmons Podcast (youtube.com/watch?v=1yF-RXkgoMg)

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