1 hr ago
Apple Taps Huxe Staff and Technology After Startup Shutdown
Apple has made a deal with Huxe, a company that made personalised audio using AI.
Apple will offer jobs to some Huxe workers and can use some of Huxe’s technology under a non-exclusive licence.
That means Huxe’s technology may also be licensed elsewhere.
Huxe said on May 21 that it was stopping its service.
The company said its app would be removed and user data deleted.
Apple has not said what it plans to do with the technology.
The deal does not mean Apple bought the whole company.
Other technology companies, including Spotify, are also exploring AI-made audio.
Apple agreed to offer jobs to certain Huxe employees and license some of the startup’s intellectual property on a non-exclusive basis.
A filing with the European Commission disclosed the agreement; it does not identify the employees or say whether they accepted.
Huxe announced on May 21 that it would discontinue its personalised audio service, remove the app from app stores, and delete user data.
The deal is not a full acquisition of Huxe, and Apple has not said how it might use the technology.
The agreement comes amid growing interest in AI-generated audio, including podcast features unveiled by Spotify shortly before Huxe’s closure.
- Who
- Apple and Huxe; the deal covers job offers to certain Huxe employees.
- What
- Apple agreed to make employment offers to some Huxe employees and obtain a non-exclusive licence to Huxe’s intellectual property.
- Where
- The agreement was disclosed in a filing with the European Commission.
- When
- The deal was disclosed in a European Commission filing; Huxe announced its shutdown on May 21.
- Why
- The agreement gives Apple access to Huxe staff and technology as companies explore AI-generated, personalised audio.
Key facts
- Agreement
- Job offers to certain Huxe employees and a non-exclusive intellectual-property licence
- Disclosure
- A filing with the European Commission
- Huxe shutdown announcement
- May 21
- Huxe service
- Personalised audio product
- Acquisition status
- The disclosed arrangement is not a full acquisition of Huxe
- Apple's plans
- Not disclosed
- Related competition
- Spotify unveiled AI-powered podcast generation features shortly before Huxe announced its closure
Quotes
Huxe
AI audio startup that announced it was discontinuing its service
“The team is moving on to new things, and we won’t be continuing development of the product.”
wionews.com
Sources
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