Humane AI Pin review: a $700 gamble

The Verge
11 Apr 202416:46

TLDRThe Humane AI pin is a $700 device designed for AI interaction, with a monthly $24 subscription for connectivity. It's not ready to replace smartphones but shows promise for the future. The device allows for tasks like checking the weather, texting, and basic AI queries, though it's slow and many features are not yet available. The hardware is sturdy but has issues with overheating and the touchpad can be finicky. The concept is compelling, but the execution is lacking, making it a prototype rather than a finished product.

Takeaways

  • 💰 The Humane AI pin is a $700 device with a $24 monthly subscription, aiming to interact with AI systems without a smartphone.
  • 📱 It's not ready to replace smartphones yet, but it's an impressive first attempt at an AI gadget.
  • 🔍 The pin can identify images, answer questions, and perform tasks like checking the weather or sending texts.
  • 🚫 It has limitations, such as unavailable features like email and food analysis, with promises of future updates.
  • 🤔 The device is sturdy and well-made but heavy, and its placement on clothing can be awkward.
  • 🔥 The battery pack heats up and the pin sometimes overheats, requiring cooldown periods.
  • 📸 The built-in camera works but doesn't always deliver accurate results, and it's slow.
  • 📱 The laser ink display is a small projector for text, useful in bright light but not for detailed viewing.
  • 🤖 The pin runs on a custom OS, Cosmos, and connects to services like ChatGPT for functionality.
  • 💡 While the concept is promising, the device's current state feels like a beta test with many features pending.
  • 🛒 It's not recommended for purchase at its current price point, but the idea of AI gadgets holds potential for the future.

Q & A

  • What is the primary function of the Humane AI pin?

    -The primary function of the Humane AI pin is to interact with AI systems, allowing users to perform tasks, get information, and control certain features without using a smartphone.

  • How much does the Humane AI pin cost, and what does the monthly subscription include?

    -The Humane AI pin costs $699, and the monthly subscription of $24 includes a phone number and data for the pin to keep it connected at all times.

  • What are some of the features that the Humane AI pin currently supports?

    -The Humane AI pin currently supports features such as checking the weather, sending text messages, answering questions about various topics, taking pictures, and playing music (with certain limitations).

  • What are some limitations or issues mentioned in the script regarding the Humane AI pin's performance?

    -Some limitations or issues mentioned include the pin's slow response time, unavailable features like email and food analysis, overheating problems, and the need for improvement in gesture control and user experience with the laser ink display.

  • How does the Humane AI pin attach to clothing?

    -The Humane AI pin attaches to clothing through a magnetic attachment that goes through the clothes and clips onto the inside, with the pin itself displaying on the outside.

  • What is the reviewer's overall opinion on the Humane AI pin's current state?

    -The reviewer believes that the Humane AI pin is not yet worth the money, as it feels like an early prototype with several features still待完善。 The reviewer suggests that it shows promise for the future of AI gadgets, but it is not ready for mainstream use at its current price point.

  • What is the significance of the laser ink display on the Humane AI pin?

    -The laser ink display is a small projector embedded in the pin that shines green light onto the user's palm, displaying text and basic information. However, its resolution is limited, and it is challenging to use for tasks like playing music or navigating settings.

  • How does the Humane AI pin's camera work, and what can it do?

    -The pin's camera can be used to take pictures and 15-second videos. It can also analyze objects or scenes when prompted with a "Look at this and" command, although the reviewer notes that this feature is not always reliable.

  • What is the reviewer's take on the hardware design of the Humane AI pin?

    -The reviewer finds the hardware design to be sturdy and well-made, especially for a first-generation product. However, they note that it is a bit heavy and can cause clothing to wear awkwardly. The magnetic attachment is effective but can get hot after prolonged use.

  • What are some of the features that Humane is planning to add to the Humane AI pin in the future?

    -Humane plans to add more gesture control, new app integrations, a better user experience with the laser ink display, and features like alarms and timers in future software updates. They are also working on an SDK for third-party app development on the Cosmos operating system.

  • Why does the reviewer suggest that a cell-connected Apple Watch is currently a better option than the Humane AI pin?

    -The reviewer suggests that a cell-connected Apple Watch is a better option because it is a more capable and functional device, offering more reliable performance and features compared to the Humane AI pin in its current state. The watch is also more affordable than the pin.

Outlines

00:00

📌 Exploring the Humane AI Pin's Capabilities

This paragraph showcases a new AI gadget called the Humane AI pin. The narrator, David, interacts with the pin to identify buildings, companies, and objects through its camera and AI capabilities. The device successfully identifies the New York Stock Exchange and Lyft, impressing David. The AI pin also recognizes a Pokémon character from an image. However, the pin has limitations, such as the unavailability of the email feature and difficulty in finding a specific Beyonce song. David discusses the pin's potential future role in technology despite its current limitations and introduces its basic functions, price, and the subscription model. The narrative includes playful interactions with the camera operator and showcases the AI pin's conversational and identification capabilities.

05:03

🔥 Handling the Humane AI Pin's Design and Function Issues

The second paragraph delves into some of the technical and design issues of the Humane AI pin. David discusses the overheating problem, where the pin often needs to cool down before further use. He explains alternative ways to wear the pin, like using a magnetic clip to attach it to different clothing or objects, albeit at a high price. The pin features a touchpad for interaction, a projector for displaying information, and a camera for taking pictures and videos. David points out the finicky nature of the touchpad and the poor resolution of the projector but highlights the convenience of the camera's positioning for capturing images in front of the user. He also notes the challenges in using the projector's menu effectively.

10:07

🛠️ Software Limitations and Potential of the Humane AI Pin

This paragraph critiques the Humane AI pin's software and overall user experience, pointing out it feels more like a beta test. David mentions the operating system, Cosmos, and its integration with various AI services including ChatGPT for enhanced functionality. However, he highlights frequent server issues and a lack of support for many basic features such as setting reminders. Despite these shortcomings, David experiences moments of promise when the device functions well, suggesting potential for future improvements. He also expresses a desire for the pin to integrate with widely used applications for managing tasks and notes, and touches on some successful interactions, like identifying a product's price and suggesting retailers.

15:08

🤖 Reflecting on the Practicality and Future of AI Gadgets

In the final paragraph, David reflects on his experience with the Humane AI pin, emphasizing that while it offers a glimpse into the future of AI gadgets, it is not yet a viable replacement for smartphones due to its high cost and limited functionality. He appreciates the device's potential to simplify tasks without the need for a screen and finds it useful for activities like walking or running without his phone. However, David concludes that the pin, priced at $699 with a $24 monthly subscription, does not currently offer enough value or functionality to justify its cost. He remains optimistic about the future of AI gadgets but advises against purchasing the pin at this stage.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Humane AI Pin

The Humane AI Pin is a new AI gadget introduced in the video, designed for hands-free interaction with AI systems. It is a wearable device that aims to provide users with information and perform tasks without the need to use a smartphone. The device is priced at $699 with a $24 monthly subscription for continuous connectivity. It is portrayed as an early prototype with potential but currently limited functionality and speed issues.

💡AI systems

AI systems refer to the artificial intelligence technologies that power the Humane AI Pin, enabling it to understand and respond to user commands. These systems are the backbone of the device's functionality, handling tasks like weather updates, messaging, and internet searches. The video highlights the device's connection to various AI services, emphasizing the role of AI in creating a seamless user experience.

💡Smartphone

A smartphone is a handheld device used for communication and internet access, which the Humane AI Pin aims to complement or replace. The video discusses the inconvenience and distractions associated with smartphones and positions the AI Pin as a solution to simplify tasks and reduce reliance on these devices. However, the reviewer notes that the AI Pin is not yet capable of fully replacing a smartphone due to its limitations.

💡Cloud services

Cloud services refer to the remote servers and networks used to store, manage, and process data. In the context of the Humane AI Pin, cloud services are essential for connecting the device to various AI systems and providing users with information and functionalities. The video mentions that the AI Pin relies on cloud services to answer questions and perform tasks, highlighting the importance of a stable internet connection for the device's operation.

💡Gesture control

Gesture control is a feature of the Humane AI Pin that allows users to interact with the device using physical movements instead of touch. The video describes various gestures such as tapping, swiping, and double-tapping to perform actions like adjusting volume, taking pictures, and initiating translations. However, the reviewer finds the touchpad and gesture control system to be somewhat finicky and inconsistent.

💡Laser ink display

The laser ink display is a small projector embedded within the Humane AI Pin that projects information onto the user's palm. It serves as a visual interface for the device, allowing users to view weather updates, access settings, and read answers to queries. The video points out that the display quality is poor in bright light and is primarily used for quick checks rather than detailed viewing.

💡Camera

The camera on the Humane AI Pin is used for capturing images and videos, as well as for recognizing objects and scenes to provide information based on visual input. The video demonstrates the camera's ability to take pictures and identify items, such as food and landmarks. However, the reviewer notes that the camera's performance is inconsistent and does not always work as expected.

💡Software

Software refers to the programs and operating systems that run on the Humane AI Pin, enabling its core functionalities and interactions with users. The video discusses the device's custom operating system, Cosmos, and the various AI systems it integrates to perform tasks. The reviewer criticizes the software for being slow and unfinished, which significantly impacts the user experience.

💡Prototype

A prototype is an early version of a product that is used to test and refine its design and functionality before a final version is produced. The video portrays the Humane AI Pin as a prototype with potential but also highlights its current limitations and the need for further development. The reviewer suggests that the device is not yet ready for mainstream use and that buyers are essentially participating in a beta testing phase.

💡User experience

User experience refers to the overall satisfaction and ease of use that a person has when interacting with a product. In the context of the Humane AI Pin, the video discusses various aspects of the user experience, including the device's hardware, software, and the convenience it offers compared to using a smartphone. The reviewer finds that while the concept is promising, the current user experience is hindered by slow response times and unimplemented features.

💡Price

The price of the Humane AI Pin is a significant point of discussion in the video. It costs $699 for the device itself, with an additional $24 monthly subscription for data and connectivity services. The reviewer argues that the high price, coupled with the device's current limitations and prototype status, makes it not worth the investment for most consumers at this time.

Highlights

The Humane AI pin is a new AI gadget designed for easy interaction with AI systems.

The device costs $699 and requires a $24 monthly subscription for constant connectivity.

It's not meant to open apps but rather to execute tasks through voice commands.

The AI pin can provide weather updates, send texts, and answer various queries.

The device features a touchpad for interactions and is about the size of an AirPods case.

It attaches magnetically to clothing and includes a battery pack for charging.

The AI pin has a built-in camera for taking pictures and analyzing objects.

The device uses a laser ink display, projecting information onto the user's palm.

The AI pin struggles with accuracy and speed, often providing incorrect or delayed responses.

It runs on an operating system called Cosmos and integrates with various AI systems and services.

The AI pin concept shows promise in reducing smartphone dependency and distractions.

Despite its innovative approach, the device is currently more of an early prototype with many missing features.

The AI pin is not yet worth its price and may force users into an unwanted beta testing situation.

The hardware is well-built, but the software needs significant improvement for better user experience.

The AI pin represents a step towards AI gadgets that could potentially change how we interact with technology.

While the concept is exciting, the AI pin is not ready for mainstream adoption at its current stage and price.