The Comunicano for Thursday May 22nd 2025
Thankful Thursday
Something important just happened.
A team of the world’s best AI researchers and one of the most respected industrial designers have come together to create something new. Not a product. Not a feature. A shift.
They’re calling it io. But it’s more than a name. It’s a rethinking of what a device can be—an AI-native experience that doesn’t live behind a screen, doesn’t demand your attention, and doesn’t feel like technology.
This isn’t about specs or speeds. It’s about presence. Intelligence that’s ambient, helpful, almost invisible. A third device—not a phone, not a laptop, but something else. Something that understands your context, listens when you need it, and stays out of the way when you don’t.
The team behind it isn’t just building hardware. They’re crafting a relationship between humans and artificial intelligence. A companion, not a command line. A design so intuitive you don’t even notice it’s there—until it helps you do something that felt impossible before.
They’re aiming for 100 million people to have one. That’s ambitious. But the ones who are crazy enough to think they can redefine the future of interaction usually do.
If it works, this won’t be remembered as another gadget launch. It’ll be the moment we stopped staring down at screens and started looking up again.
It’s not about building a better product.
It’s about imagining a better way to live. It’s about always having access to The Comunicano!!!
Andy Abramson
OpenAI Watch
OpenAI and Jony Ive Introduce io: A New Era of AI-Driven Devices (OpenAI)—OpenAI and renowned designer Jony Ive have unveiled their collaboration, io, marking a significant step toward creating a new generation of AI-native devices. The effort is focused on moving beyond traditional screens and interfaces by designing tools that are intuitive, ambient, and seamlessly embedded into everyday life. The io team—bringing together talent from hardware, software, and design—will integrate with OpenAI to build these experiences from the ground up. Ive’s design firm, LoveFrom, will lead the design across all OpenAI and io products, aiming to deliver beautifully crafted, human-first technology that enhances how we live and work. Read more here
Sam Altman Unveils Vision for AI "Companion" Devices in $6.5B Deal with Jony Ive (The Wall Street Journal)—In a recent staff meeting, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman detailed plans for a groundbreaking AI device developed in collaboration with former Apple designer Jony Ive. The initiative involves the acquisition of Ive’s startup, io, for $6.5 billion, aiming to produce 100 million AI "companions" that seamlessly integrate into users’ lives. These devices are envisioned as a third core device, complementing laptops and smartphones, but distinct from phones or wearables. Altman emphasized the device's unobtrusive nature and its full awareness of surroundings, marking a significant leap in design and technology. The project is slated for rapid production, with a launch goal set for the end of next year. Read more here
OpenAI and Jony Ive’s Screen-Free AI Device Could Replace Your Smartphone (Sherwood News)—OpenAI and Jony Ive are working on a new type of AI device designed to eventually replace or radically reduce the role of the smartphone. Described as screen-free and context-aware, the device aims to serve as a constant companion—capable of interpreting surroundings, anticipating user needs, and delivering information through voice and possibly other non-visual interfaces. Unlike traditional hardware, this product is intended to feel ambient and assistive, always available without demanding attention. It's expected to launch in 2026, and early reports suggest it could reshape the way users interact with technology on a daily basis. Read more here
OpenAI Acquires Jony Ive’s io in $6.5B Deal to Build AI-First Devices (Crazy Stupid Tech)—OpenAI has made a significant move by acquiring Jony Ive’s AI hardware startup, io, in a $6.5 billion all-stock deal. This acquisition brings together Ive's renowned design expertise and OpenAI's AI capabilities to develop a new class of AI-first devices. While details remain scarce, the collaboration hints at creating devices that seamlessly integrate AI into daily life, potentially redefining human-computer interaction. This partnership could mark a pivotal moment in technology, reminiscent of the iPhone's impact nearly two decades ago. Read more here
OpenAI’s Ambitions Just Became Crystal Clear (The Atlantic)—OpenAI's acquisition of Jony Ive's startup, io, for $6.5 billion signals a strategic shift towards developing AI-specific hardware. CEO Sam Altman envisions devices that move beyond traditional interfaces, offering seamless, always-on access to AI assistants. While specifics are limited, the goal is to create hardware that deeply integrates AI into daily life, potentially replacing current phones and computers. This move positions OpenAI to reduce reliance on competitor devices and expand its enterprise further. Read more here
Jony Ive and Sam Altman Collaborate on AI Hardware (Designboom)—Jony Ive and Sam Altman are joining forces to develop a new generation of AI-powered devices under OpenAI's umbrella. The collaboration aims to create tools that allow people to harness AI for various creative endeavors. While the exact nature of the devices remains undisclosed, Altman describes a prototype as "the coolest piece of technology that the world will have ever seen." The first products from this partnership are expected to launch in 2026. Read more here
The Myth of Sam Altman: Power, Hubris, and the AI Boom (Financial Times)—Two new books—The Optimist by Keach Hagey and Empire of AI by Karen Hao—peel back the curated image of Sam Altman as the selfless steward of artificial intelligence. Instead, they reveal a power-hungry operator who mastered Silicon Valley’s playbook: charm, narrative control, and apocalyptic spin. Altman’s globe-trotting campaign for AI regulation masked deeper concerns about data use, bias, and unchecked ambition. Despite OpenAI’s non-profit origins, his ousting—and rapid return—signaled the company’s pivot to profit. The books suggest that behind Altman’s “humanity first” rhetoric is a leader driven more by control than conscience. Read more here
Privacy Watch
Massive InfoStealer Malware Breach Exposes 184 Million Credentials (Website Planet)—A cybersecurity researcher uncovered an unprotected database containing over 184 million login credentials, likely harvested by InfoStealer malware. The 47.4 GB trove included emails, passwords, and login URLs for services like Microsoft, Facebook, and government portals. The data was stored without encryption or password protection and has since been taken offline. The breach highlights the risks of malware that captures browser-stored credentials, cookies, and even keystrokes. Users are urged to update passwords, enable two-factor authentication, and monitor accounts for suspicious activity. Read more here
Deepfake Laws Prompt Legal and Free Speech Challenges (The New York Times)—The rapid proliferation of AI-generated deepfakes is prompting a wave of legislation aimed at curbing their misuse, particularly in cases of nonconsensual intimate imagery and political disinformation. However, these laws are igniting debates over free speech and the potential for overreach. Critics argue that while the intent is to protect individuals from harm, the broad language in some of these laws could inadvertently suppress legitimate expression and artistic works. The challenge lies in crafting regulations that effectively address the malicious use of deepfakes without infringing upon First Amendment rights. As technology continues to outpace legislation, courts are increasingly tasked with balancing the protection of individuals' rights against the preservation of free expression. Read more here
Meta Watch
Meta Defends Against Antitrust Allegations in Landmark Trial (The New York Times)—Meta Platforms is currently defending itself in a significant antitrust trial brought by the Federal Trade Commission, which alleges that the company's acquisitions of Instagram and WhatsApp have stifled competition in the social media market. Meta contends that these acquisitions have benefited consumers by integrating services and fostering innovation. The outcome of this trial could have far-reaching implications for the tech industry, potentially setting new precedents for how antitrust laws are applied to digital platforms. As the trial unfolds, it underscores the ongoing tension between regulatory bodies seeking to curb monopolistic practices and tech giants advocating for their business models. Read more here
Amazon Watch
Amazon Introduces AI-Powered Audio Summaries to Enhance Shopping Experience (GeekWire)—Amazon has launched a new feature in its shopping app that uses generative AI to create audio summaries of product information. Called “AI shopping experts,” this tool distills key details from product descriptions, customer reviews, and online data into brief spoken summaries. Shoppers can access the feature through a “Hear the highlights” button on select product pages. It’s currently available to a subset of U.S. customers, with plans for broader rollout. The move builds on Amazon’s integration of AI into retail, including tools like Rufus and personalized guides. Read more here
Starlink Watch
Starlink’s Lead in Satellite Internet Spurs Global Race for Orbit (Financial Times)—Elon Musk’s Starlink has surged ahead in the space-based internet race, with over 7,000 satellites in orbit and more than 5 million users across 125 countries. Amazon’s Project Kuiper recently launched its first satellites, aiming to catch up with Starlink by leveraging AWS and its massive retail base. Meanwhile, China’s state-backed initiatives and Europe’s sovereign networks reflect geopolitical concerns over digital infrastructure. Starlink’s pace, affordability, and in-house capabilities make it the dominant force, but a looming price war with Amazon could reshape the market landscape. Read more here
