Nearly Faulty in Every Aspect, Early Reviews of the Device Aimed to Replace Smartphones Are In
The wearable device by Humane, named Ai PIN, which operates on artificial intelligence and can be attached to clothing, seemed promising as its developers touted it as a potential replacement for smartphones.
However, based on early feedback, it appears there’s no immediate threat to the current mobile phone market.
The tech press was quick to pick up the news about the Ai PIN, especially because it was designed by two former Apple executives. The device, which is about the size of an Apple Watch, comes with a microphone, speaker, laser projector, and various sensors. It promises to project information onto the user's hand instead of a screen and can be controlled via voice and a small touch surface. It attaches to clothing with magnets. Additionally, the startup behind the device, Humane, managed to secure hundreds of millions of dollars in investments, partly due to its Apple alumni status.
The Ai PIN had been available for pre-order months ago, but its release kept getting delayed. Now, after several testers had a chance to try it out, the feedback is predominantly negative, albeit with a few positive comments. Mark Gurman, a well-known Apple expert from Bloomberg, praised the device's artificial intelligence capabilities, which he found to be on par with other generative systems in the market. He highlighted its potential usefulness for accessibility purposes, as the device can look at an object and audibly describe it. Yet, he found little else to commend.
One notable drawback Gurman pointed out is the Ai PIN's slow response time and its frequent inability to recognize touch gestures. The device lacks essential features, does not integrate with third-party applications, and worryingly overheats. There were instances when the laser projected only a dim, vertical orange line instead of a green surface on the user's palm. Gurman also encountered difficulties setting up the device and had to restart it several times to function.
The control system is considered a fundamental issue. Voice-controlled interfaces are cumbersome and ineffective unless used in quiet, solitary conditions. Even though Siri is more polished, most iPhone users do not primarily operate their devices through it, just as Android users don't mainly use Google Assistant. Gurman found using the laser-projected display uncomfortable and acknowledged that while learning a new interface takes time, this particular device might demand too much effort. The laser display also fails to perform well under bright lighting conditions and often does not activate when needed.
Marques Brownlee, a YouTuber with 18.5 million followers, expressed an even more critical view, labeling the Ai PIN as theoretically a good idea but practically the worst product he has ever encountered. According to Brownlee, despite having a phone number, it cannot synchronize with an existing smartphone, and the lack of customized apps is problematic. A reviewer from The Verge shared similar sentiments, finding the device's only reliable feature to be its ability to tell the time after several days of testing. Francisco Jeromino from the market research firm IDC commented to the BBC that while the Ai PIN is interesting, it makes no sense from a consumer perspective.
Returning to Mark Gurman's perspective, he suggests that Humane should have perhaps focused on developing a mobile or smartwatch app instead. Purchasing the $700 hardware, plus a $24 monthly subscription, is not advisable. At best, the Ai PIN is an extravagant accessory for tech and AI enthusiasts who don’t mind spending the money.
The tech press was quick to pick up the news about the Ai PIN, especially because it was designed by two former Apple executives. The device, which is about the size of an Apple Watch, comes with a microphone, speaker, laser projector, and various sensors. It promises to project information onto the user's hand instead of a screen and can be controlled via voice and a small touch surface. It attaches to clothing with magnets. Additionally, the startup behind the device, Humane, managed to secure hundreds of millions of dollars in investments, partly due to its Apple alumni status.
The Ai PIN had been available for pre-order months ago, but its release kept getting delayed. Now, after several testers had a chance to try it out, the feedback is predominantly negative, albeit with a few positive comments. Mark Gurman, a well-known Apple expert from Bloomberg, praised the device's artificial intelligence capabilities, which he found to be on par with other generative systems in the market. He highlighted its potential usefulness for accessibility purposes, as the device can look at an object and audibly describe it. Yet, he found little else to commend.
One notable drawback Gurman pointed out is the Ai PIN's slow response time and its frequent inability to recognize touch gestures. The device lacks essential features, does not integrate with third-party applications, and worryingly overheats. There were instances when the laser projected only a dim, vertical orange line instead of a green surface on the user's palm. Gurman also encountered difficulties setting up the device and had to restart it several times to function.
The control system is considered a fundamental issue. Voice-controlled interfaces are cumbersome and ineffective unless used in quiet, solitary conditions. Even though Siri is more polished, most iPhone users do not primarily operate their devices through it, just as Android users don't mainly use Google Assistant. Gurman found using the laser-projected display uncomfortable and acknowledged that while learning a new interface takes time, this particular device might demand too much effort. The laser display also fails to perform well under bright lighting conditions and often does not activate when needed.
Marques Brownlee, a YouTuber with 18.5 million followers, expressed an even more critical view, labeling the Ai PIN as theoretically a good idea but practically the worst product he has ever encountered. According to Brownlee, despite having a phone number, it cannot synchronize with an existing smartphone, and the lack of customized apps is problematic. A reviewer from The Verge shared similar sentiments, finding the device's only reliable feature to be its ability to tell the time after several days of testing. Francisco Jeromino from the market research firm IDC commented to the BBC that while the Ai PIN is interesting, it makes no sense from a consumer perspective.
Returning to Mark Gurman's perspective, he suggests that Humane should have perhaps focused on developing a mobile or smartwatch app instead. Purchasing the $700 hardware, plus a $24 monthly subscription, is not advisable. At best, the Ai PIN is an extravagant accessory for tech and AI enthusiasts who don’t mind spending the money.
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