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2024 was a whirlwind year for AI. The initial excitement of ChatGPT had settled, and we wondered how AI would transform the way we interact with technology? Desktop-bound apps and services and mobile-based chat apps offer a great way to interact with LLMs. Still, for AI to be pervasive, it needs to be more accessible. Enter a wave of AI-powered gadgets. Some promise to replace your phone, others aim to be ever-present companions. From handhelds to wearable pins and AI-enhanced smartphones, these products captured our curiosity. However, did they live up to the hype one year later?
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Posts Rabbit R1 Trendy design, limited functionality Close
Rabbit unveiled the R1 at CES 2024. This compact AI-powered device was designed to revolutionize human-computer interaction. With a natural-language interface and a tempting $200 price tag, it made waves, selling nearly 10,000 units on day one. The enthusiasm was real. People were excited about an AI gadget that might simplify everyday tasks.
Under the hood, the R1 ran on Rabbit OS, the first operating system built around a Large Action Model (LAM). Instead of relying on apps, the R1 would learn and replicate human interactions across digital interfaces, streamlining common tasks. Its playful design -- crafted in collaboration with Teenage Engineering - added to the appeal. The bright colorway, a 2.88-inch touchscreen, a scroll wheel for navigation, and a rotating camera gave it a distinctive look.
Early reviews criticized the R1's limited functionality, pointing out that most of its tasks could be done on a smartphone, and often faster and more efficiently. Some argued that Rabbit's software could be replicated on an Android app, making the standalone device redundant.
Users quickly realized the R1 was more of a gimmick than a necessity. While it could handle basic commands like playing music, checking the weather, or summarizing information, it lacked deep integrations with the services people used. Without a solid app ecosystem or standout feature, it was hard to justify carrying an extra device when a smartphone did everything and more.
Since then, Rabbit has fought back with software updates, introducing a partnership with ElevenLabs for custom voice options. Despite these efforts, the R1 hasn't maintained its early momentum. Recently, the company announced an Android agent that lets you control Android devices. It'll let you add notes to a Google Keep list, play YouTube videos, and more. Regardless, the Rabbit R1 remains on sale, but I'd venture a guess that it hasn't given people a reason to stick with it.
Could Rabbit pivot to software-only solutions in the future? It wouldn't be surprising. If the company focuses on perfecting its LAM-based approach as a universal AI assistant that works across all platforms, it might stand a better chance at longevity than being tied to niche hardware.
Humane AI Pin A vision of the future Close
If the Rabbit R1 represented one vision of AI hardware, the Humane AI Pin took a different approach. Created by ex-Apple employees, the AI Pin was meant to be a wearable AI assistant with no screens, just voice commands and a built-in laser projector to display information on your palm. It sounded futuristic. However, as we've seen before, cool concepts don't always translate into practical products.
The AI Pin consisted of two parts: a front unit with a camera, speaker, and sensors, and a rear battery, magnetically attached to clothing at chest level. Powered by CosmOS, it relied almost entirely on cloud processing and required a $24 a month subscription. Still, from the start, it struggled. Users reported overheating issues, frequent AI errors, and a lack of useful features. The promise of seamless AI integration wasn't there.
Sales plummeted, leading Humane to slash the price from $699 to $499 to gain traction. It didn't work. By early 2025, reports showed that more units were returned than sold. Then came the final blow. HP acquired Humane's assets for $116 million on February 18, 2025. The AI Pin was discontinued, with all remaining units set to stop working by February 28. Humane's ambitious vision now lives on within HP's new AI division, HP IQ. Still, the AI Pin is officially dead.
What went wrong? For starters, the AI Pin's reliance on cloud computing made it sluggish, often leading to delayed responses. Unlike a smartphone, which has local processing capabilities, every AI Pin command was transmitted to Humane's servers before returning a response. This added friction, making it feel less responsive than a basic smart assistant like Siri or Google Assistant.
Then there was the issue of its form factor. While Humane envisioned a world where people would ditch screens in favor of AI-driven interactions, reality painted a different picture. Consumers weren't ready to abandon visual interfaces, and the AI Pin's laser projection felt more like a party trick than a game-changing innovation.
Plaud Note AI Pin The AI assistant that found a niche Close
Unlike its more ambitious counterparts, the Plaud NotePin took a practical approach. Launched in August 2024 by Plaud.AI, this wearable device focused on one thing: helping professionals capture, transcribe, and summarize conversations in real time.
Priced at $169, the NotePin was designed for versatility. It could be worn as a necklace, wristband, clip, or pin, making it a discreet tool for meetings, interviews, and lectures. Using OpenAI's GPT-4, it transcribed and summarized recordings, turning spoken words into actionable insights.
Unlike the Rabbit R1 and Humane AI Pin, the NotePin didn't try to replace your phone or reinvent how you interacted with AI. Instead, it found a clear, valuable use case, one that professionals needed. Six months in, the NotePin is still gaining traction, with Plaud.AI continuing to roll out updates to improve its AI capabilities.
The NotePin didn't overpromise or try to redefine human-computer interaction overnight. Instead, it provided a service people were searching for: seamless, high-quality transcription powered by AI.
Its success highlights an important shift in AI hardware. Consumers aren't looking for AI to replace existing devices. They want it to enhance and streamline the tools they use. This pragmatic approach could serve as a roadmap for future AI-driven wearables.
What's happening in the world of AI hardware?
Looking back, it's clear that AI gadgets are still in their experimental phase. The Rabbit R1 had the hype but struggled to justify its existence beyond a novelty. The Humane AI Pin promised a radical shift in computing but collapsed under the weight of its own ambition. Meanwhile, the Plaud NotePin, by focusing on a specific, practical function, has quietly carved out a niche for itself.
AI hardware must deliver genuine value and not flashy promises and futuristic aesthetics. The most successful tech products don't ask users to change their behavior. They integrate seamlessly into daily life. AI-driven hardware must answer a simple yet crucial question: What does it do better than a smartphone's AI features? If the answer isn't compelling enough, consumers will stick with the familiar.
