Apple Taps Virtual Avatar Firm Animato's Expertise and Intellectual Property
Apple has acquired the expertise and intellectual property of Animato, a company specializing in virtual avatars. This acquisition allows Apple to hire certain Animato employees and utilize their technology for video chats and tutoring. Animato is known for its app 'Call Annie,' which provided animated avatars for conversations with AI.
- ▪Apple has agreed to hire employees and license intellectual property from Animato.
- ▪The acquisition was filed under the EU's Digital Markets Act in January 2026.
- ▪Animato is known for its app 'Call Annie,' which allowed users to have video-style conversations with an AI chatbot.
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Apple Taps Virtual Avatar Firm Animato's Expertise and Intellectual PropertyTuesday May 19, 2026 2:02 pm PDT by Tim HardwickApple 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." In other words, Apple is able to make employment offers to certain Animato employees and receive a non-exclusive license to the company's intellectual property, as well as acquire its patent applications. Apple Inc.
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