Apple Strikes Talent and IP Deal with Virtual Avatar Startup Animato
Apple can hire certain Animato employees and license its avatar technology as it expands digital persona tools, according to a European Commission filing.
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6 Articles
Apple Taps Virtual Avatar Firm Animato's Expertise and Intellectual Property
Apple has quietly agreed to hire employees and license intellectual property of Animato, a small California-based company that has developed software for creating virtual avatars used in video chats and tutoring, according to a European Commission filing spotted by MacRumors. The acquisition was filed under the EU's Digital Markets Act in January 2026, and appears to be what's known as a "structured acqui-hire".
Apple Acquires Key Talent & Patents Behind AI Avatar Company 'Animato'
According to an official EU filing spotted by Apple Insider, Apple has recently acquired key talent and IP behind Animato, a Bay Area startup creating AI avatars. Animato was known for the now-defunct AI video calling app Call Annie, which paired 3D avatars with AI for face-to-face tutoring and language learning. According to the filing (seen below), Apple isn’t outright acquiring Animato, but rather reserving the right to hire certain employees…
Cupertino signs a strategic pact with Animato, a virtual avatar and AI startup founded by one of its former employees: are new features based on virtual avatars and AI coming to Apple's next operating systems? - on macitynet.it Apple takes avatars beyond Vision Pro, strategic pact with Animato
Apple has entered into an agreement with Animato that will allow it to recruit certain employees of the start-up, to obtain a non-exclusive license on its intellectual property and to recover its patent applications. The operation is made public in the European Commission's database on acquisitions related to the DMA. Apple [...] Read more... Follow iPhoneAddict.fr on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter Don't forget to download our free iAddict a…
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