OpenAI Acquires Smartphone Camera Innovator Glass Imaging for $300 Million, According to Reports
OpenAI has acquired the smartphone camera technology firm Glass Imaging in a transaction valued at over $300 million, according to reports. Based in Los Altos, California, Glass Imaging was established in 2019 and had previously secured around $30 million in funding from various investors.
The company was co-founded by Ziv Attar and Tom Bishop, both of whom are former engineers at Apple. They were instrumental in developing Apple’s Portrait Mode. Their expertise is reflected in Glass Imaging’s innovative approach to using AI, leveraging neural networks to enhance the capabilities of smartphone cameras rather than merely editing photos post-capture. This technology enables the system to analyze different camera setups across various smartphone models, producing superior images directly as the photo is taken.
OpenAI has not yet responded to inquiries for further details. The organization is reportedly exploring the development of its own hardware, which may include smartphones, earbuds, and AI-driven companion devices.
In 2025, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, alongside renowned Apple designer Jony Ive, disclosed their collaboration on a device startup called io, prior to OpenAI’s acquisition of Ive’s previous venture for $6.5 billion.
