Apple Inc. (AAPL) Acquires Israeli Startup Q.ai For Approximately $2 Billion: Report

Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) is among the 12 Most Profitable NASDAQ Stocks to Buy Right Now. The tech giant has acquired Israeli AI audio startup Q.ai, a company representative told the media on Thursday.

While the representative did not reveal a purchase price, the Financial Times, quoting people familiar with the matter, said the deal was worth approximately $2 billion. The Israeli company has developed technology that helps devices analyse facial expressions to understand whispered speech, reports say.

The takeover is set to help shrink the gap between Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) and other players like Meta and Alphabet in developing wearable devices, such as smart glasses, for instance, that interact with artificial intelligence.

In other news, Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) reported earnings for the first quarter of fiscal 2026 on January 29, topping estimates. Revenue surged 16% year-over-year to $143.8 billion, driven by strong iPhone demand. EPS came in at $2.84, beating expectations of $2.67 per share and up 19% from the prior year’s quarter.

Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) is known for its consumer electronics, software, and other related products. Its premium product line, which includes the iPhone, iPad, Mac computers, and a range of accessories, has earned the company widespread acclaim and customer loyalty.

While we acknowledge the potential of AAPL as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock.

READ NEXT: 10 Best Defense Stocks to Buy in the S&P 500 and 14 Best Booming Stocks to Buy Right Now.

Disclosure: None.