Science & Tech · AI · 3 days ago
Apple secures hiring rights and Huxe technology license
Apple has made a deal with Huxe, a startup founded by three former Google NotebookLM developers.
Huxe created an app that used information such as news, emails and calendar entries to make personalized audio programs.
The app also let users interrupt AI podcast speakers and ask questions.
Huxe launched in 2025 but shut down its service on May 28, 2026.
Under the deal, Apple may offer jobs to certain Huxe employees and has a non-exclusive license to Huxe’s intellectual property.
This is an acqui-hire, not a purchase of the company, and the price was not disclosed.
It is not clear how Apple will use the technology or which employees it may hire.
Apple has secured the right to offer jobs to certain Huxe employees and a non-exclusive license to the startup’s intellectual property.
The deal was disclosed in the European Union’s Digital Markets Act database in June 2026.
Huxe was founded by former Google NotebookLM developers and made an app for personalized audio content.
Huxe shut down its service in May 2026.
It is unclear how Apple will use Huxe’s technology or which employees it may hire.
- Who
- Apple and Huxe, a startup founded by former NotebookLM developers.
- What
- Apple gained the right to make job offers to certain Huxe employees and a non-exclusive license to Huxe’s intellectual property.
- When
- The deal was disclosed to the EU in June 2026.
- Where
- The deal was listed in the European Union’s Digital Markets Act database.
- Why
- Not stated.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
NotebookLM project lead Raiza Martin left Google to start a company with former colleagues Jason Spielman and Stephen Hughes.
Huxe formally launched its app on an invite-only basis.
Huxe opened the app to everyone and announced a $4.6 million funding round.
Huxe announced it was shutting down, and its service ended on May 28.
Apple disclosed the Huxe deal to the European Union.
- Hiring rights
- Apple may make employment offers to certain Huxe employees
- Technology license
- Non-exclusive license to Huxe’s intellectual property
- Founders
- Raiza Martin, Jason Spielman and Stephen Hughes
- Funding
- $4.6 million announced in September 2025
- Service end
- May 28, 2026
What people are saying
moving on to new things
Huxe provides a mobile application that creates personalized audio content.
Sources
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