OpenAI Acquires macOS Vendor, Targets GPT OS — Microsoft Drops the Act
OpenAI Goes All-In on Apple UX
OpenAI’s Mac-exclusive browser was just the beginning — now, they appear to be moving toward building a deeply integrated Apple-only user experience.
> “We have acquired SAI (Software Applications Incorporated), the company that developed Sky — a natural language interaction interface for Mac.”
The Internet Reacts
The announcement sparked online celebrations, with many hoping this would fix Apple’s AI shortcomings:
> “Awesome — Apple messed up everything related to AI, and now someone’s taking over!”
Some felt uneasy, joking that OpenAI might be picking fights with every tech giant:
> “First they went up against Google, now they’re dragging Apple into the race too.”
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What This Acquisition Really Means
OpenAI has added to the GPT ecosystem a company that created Sky, a native Mac AI interface.
The deal includes:
- Integration of Sky’s technology directly into ChatGPT.
- Absorption of SAI's 12-person team into OpenAI.
- Undisclosed price, though PitchBook notes SAI previously raised $6.5 million, including from OpenAI itself.
Nick Turley, ChatGPT team lead, said he was “blown away” by CEO Ari Weinstein’s demo of Sky:
> “It made some of our previous ideas come to life.”
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Why Sky Stood Out to OpenAI
- Context Awareness
- Sky can “see” your Mac screen contents, understand context, and take action.
- Deep OS Integration
- Tasks include opening files, summarizing text, organizing emails, generating reports, and running system commands via a floating desktop interface.
Sky is not just another app — it’s an AI UX layer embedded into macOS. This fits OpenAI’s goal to evolve ChatGPT from prompt-response into a true task executor.
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The Apple Connection
- Founded in 2023 by three ex-Apple employees:
- Ari Weinstein (CEO): co-founded Workflow, acquired by Apple, became Shortcuts.
- Conrad Kramer (CTO): Workflow co-founder.
- Kim Beverett (Head of Product Design): 10 years at Apple; led projects in Safari, WebKit, Messages, Mail, Phone, FaceTime, SharePlay, etc.
OpenAI’s move likely signals plans for OS-level integration of ChatGPT.
But there’s an awkward twist: Microsoft — OpenAI’s largest investor — already owns a major OS.
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Microsoft’s Potential Concern
If OpenAI expands into OS-level features:
- Microsoft might feel sidelined despite funding OpenAI and partnering on Azure cloud services.
- Recent collaborations with rivals like Google have already strained the relationship.
As AI crosses app, workflow, and OS boundaries, Sky integration could accelerate AI-native UX design.
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Lessons for Developers & Creators
Platforms like AiToEarn官网 and its open-source toolkit are doing — on a smaller scale — what OpenAI envisions:
- Generate AI content.
- Publish across multiple channels (Douyin, Instagram, YouTube).
- Track analytics and performance.
The cross-platform reach mirrors ChatGPT’s potential OS integration — freeing creators from single-ecosystem limits.
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Connecting the Dots
- Microsoft supported OpenAI.
- OpenAI acquired a macOS integration startup.
- Launched a Mac-only browser.
- Collaborated with former Apple designer Jony Ive.
- Ignored Microsoft’s Windows platform.
It’s been described as paying someone to eat your own cake:
> Microsoft is the only parent willing to pay tuition for a child who moved out.
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Microsoft Strikes Back
- Released new Copilot version with 12 new “human-centered AI” features.
- Announced its AI browser has been fully upgraded.
- PR Counterattack:
- Microsoft AI CEO Mustafa Suleyman criticized “without boundaries” competitors, emphasizing refusal to build adult or erotic AI features:
> This is not the service we aim to provide... This is dangerous, and we should avoid it.
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The Rivalry Deepens
Only a week ago, Sam Altman suggested OpenAI may explore such controversial areas — further widening the gap with Microsoft.
Could Musk be joined by another “fallen-out big brother” on OpenAI’s list?
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References
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Final Thought
In the fast-changing AI arena, OpenAI’s Apple-centric strategy could reshape how assistants operate at the OS level. For developers, leveraging open tools like AiToEarn官网 — with integrated generation, publishing, analytics, and AI model rankings — may be the most adaptable way to keep pace with the giants.
