Apple snaps up Israel-based startup Q.ai for a reported cool $2 billion

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Apple recently acquired Israel-based startup Q.ai in a bid to accelerate its artificial intelligence efforts. While the company did not disclose the terms of the deal, reports indicate that the arrangement is valued at nearly $2 billion. If the figure is correct, the Q.ai purchase is Apple's second-largest acquisition to date, following the Beats purchase in 2014 for $3 billion.

It's unclear how Apple plans to leverage Q.ai, but the company's past work suggests Apple is doubling down on AI-powered wearables. Q.ai CEO Aviad Maizels and the other founding members of the company will join Apple as part of the deal.

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Photo: McIntosh

Bose plans to buy the McIntosh Group from private equity firm Highlander Partners for an undisclosed amount. Aside from the McIntosh brand, The deal also includes Sonus faber, an Italian company that produces hand-made premium high-end speakers. The acquisition will give the audio company access to the luxury audio equipment market and more opportunities to provide audio for luxury car brands like Maserati and Lamborghini.

Bose CEO Lila Snyder told CNBC in an interview it isn't ruling out the possibility of introducing more premium McIntosh-branded headphones and accessories. “We do think there’s a real opportunity around wearables in the luxury and high-performance space as well, which is something that we would expect you to see from us down the road,” Synder said.

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