Humane's AI Pin Is Not Ready for Prime Time

CNET
11 Apr 202408:45

TLDRThe Humane AI pin, a wearable device developed by ex-Apple engineers, offers a futuristic hands-free experience with its laser projection and hand-tracking interface. It features a sleek design, swappable batteries for extended use, and the ability to take short 15-second videos. However, the device is not without its flaws. It struggles with overheating, has a dim laser display in bright light, and lacks robust AI integration. The hand-tracking interface, while innovative, is challenging to master and can be frustrating to use. Additionally, the AI's language translation feature is inconsistent and the device does not connect well with smartphones. Despite its promising concept, the Humane AI pin is currently more of a novelty than a practical tool, and the reviewer advises against purchasing it at this time.

Takeaways

  • 📡 The Humane AI pin is a wearable device with sensors, a microphone, camera, and cell connectivity, allowing for hands-free interaction and information display.
  • 🎥 It features a laser projection system that projects onto the user's hand for a near-field display, offering a unique way to interact with the device.
  • 🔋 The device has swappable batteries, which ensures a full day's battery life, even with cellular connectivity.
  • 🤖 The AI pin has voice interaction capabilities similar to other voice-activated systems but also includes hand tracking for a more advanced interface.
  • 📸 It can take photos and videos, although the video length is limited to 15 seconds, which is less than some competitors.
  • 🌐 The camera can recognize environments and objects, indicating a step towards more AI-driven functionalities in wearables.
  • 🔥 The device has overheating issues, which can cause it to shut down temporarily, affecting usability.
  • 🌞 The laser display is not bright enough for outdoor use, limiting its practicality in various lighting conditions.
  • 📞 It lacks a direct connection to a phone, which is where most personal information and services are typically stored and managed.
  • 💰 There's a subscription cost of $24 a month, which may not be justifiable given the limited features and connectivity.
  • 🚫 The device's AI features are described as hit-and-miss, with the user expressing frustration and a sense of being unsure about its practical use.

Q & A

  • What is the Humane AI pin?

    -The Humane AI pin is a magnetic clip-on device with sensors, a microphone, camera, and cell connectivity that allows users to interact with it and display information on their hand using lasers.

  • Who are the makers of the Humane AI pin?

    -The makers of the Humane AI pin are primarily engineers from Apple who have experience with products like the iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods.

  • How does the Humane AI pin charge?

    -The Humane AI pin uses magnetic charging with a variety of magnetic boosters that clip on and charge through clothing.

  • What are the two ways to interact with the Humane AI pin?

    -The two ways to interact with the Humane AI pin are through a touchpad for voice commands and by tapping and holding out your hand to project a laser interface for hand tracking control.

  • What is the battery life of the Humane AI pin?

    -The battery life of the Humane AI pin lasts a whole day, which is better than some other comparable devices like Meta's AI glasses.

  • What are some limitations of the Humane AI pin's camera?

    -The camera on the Humane AI pin can recognize the environment and take photos and videos, but the videos are limited to 15 seconds, which is shorter than the minute available on Meta's AI glasses.

  • What issue did the reviewer face with the laser display of the Humane AI pin?

    -The reviewer found that the laser display on the Humane AI pin was not bright enough for bright outdoor conditions and sometimes the device would overheat and shut down temporarily.

  • How does the Humane AI pin function as a communicator?

    -The Humane AI pin can function as an instant communicator by allowing users to speak and have it translate into one of 50 languages on the spot.

  • What is the subscription cost associated with the Humane AI pin?

    -The subscription cost for the Humane AI pin is $24 a month.

  • What are some of the frustrations the reviewer experienced with the Humane AI pin?

    -The reviewer experienced frustrations such as the device sometimes overheating, the laser display not being visible in bright conditions, the AI features being hit-and-miss, and the hand tracking interface being difficult to use.

  • Would the reviewer recommend purchasing the Humane AI pin at this time?

    -The reviewer does not recommend purchasing the Humane AI pin at this time due to its limitations and the need for further development.

  • What did the reviewer find fascinating about the Humane AI pin?

    -The reviewer found the hand tracking interface and the concept of a nearfield display without the need for glasses or a headset to be fascinating.

Outlines

00:00

🤖 Introduction to Humane AI Pin and its Features

The first paragraph introduces the Humane AI Pin, a wearable device that resembles a cross between an Apple Watch and AirPods. It has its own sensors, microphone, camera, and cell connectivity, allowing users to interact with it through voice commands and laser projections on their hand. The device is designed for a full day's battery life with swappable batteries and can take short 15-second videos. It also includes a camera for environmental recognition and an instant translation feature into multiple languages. The makers of Humane AI have a background in Apple products, which is reflected in the device's design and functionality.

05:00

🔥 Challenges and Limitations of the Humane AI Pin

The second paragraph discusses the challenges and limitations encountered while using the Humane AI Pin. Issues include the device overheating, difficulty in seeing the laser display in bright outdoor conditions, and the need for Bluetooth earbuds for better audio quality. The AI features are described as hit-and-miss, with the device not being connected to the user's phone, which houses most personal information. The hand tracking interface, while futuristic, is also frustrating to use and requires practice. The subscription cost of $24 a month is also highlighted as a potential drawback. The paragraph concludes with the reviewer's recommendation against purchasing the device at its current stage of development, citing its limited functionality and comfort issues.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Humane AI pin

The Humane AI pin is a wearable device that serves as a hands-free interface for interacting with an AI system. It features sensors, a microphone, camera, and cell connectivity, allowing users to communicate with it and receive laser-projected information on their hand. In the video, the pin is presented as a sleek, Apple-like gadget that aims to enhance daily life through AI assistance, but it also faces criticism for its limitations and occasional malfunctions.

💡Laser Projection

Laser projection is a technology that displays information onto a user's hand using a laser. It is a core feature of the Humane AI pin, enabling a near-field display for hands-on interaction without the need for glasses or a headset. The script describes this as a 'really wild idea' that offers a futuristic interface but also notes that it can be difficult to use and not always visible in different lighting conditions.

💡Hand Tracking

Hand tracking is a method of controlling interfaces by detecting the position and movement of a user's hand. The Humane AI pin uses hand tracking to allow users to interact with the projected display by tapping, tilting, and moving their hand. This technology is likened to that used in AR and VR headsets and is portrayed as a futuristic way to control devices but is also described as challenging to master and prone to errors.

💡AI Wearables

AI wearables are smart devices that can be worn on the body and incorporate artificial intelligence to enhance their functionality. The Humane AI pin is an example of an AI wearable, with features like voice interaction, environmental recognition, and instant translation. The video discusses how these devices are becoming more common and are expected to integrate more AI features in the future.

💡Environmental Recognition

Environmental recognition refers to the ability of a device to identify and provide information about objects or surroundings in real-time. The Humane AI pin's camera is showcased as having this capability, as it can recognize a specific type of electric bike on command. This feature is seen as a sign of advancing technology in AI wearables but is also highlighted as needing improvement for better accuracy.

💡Instant Translation

Instant translation is a feature that allows for immediate conversion of speech into different languages. The Humane AI pin is said to have this functionality, translating the user's speech into one of 50 languages with a simple command. However, the script reveals that the feature sometimes fails to work as expected, causing frustration for the user.

💡Overheating

Overheating occurs when a device generates more heat than it can dissipate, which can lead to temporary shutdowns or reduced performance. The video script mentions that the Humane AI pin experiences overheating issues, particularly when using the laser display, which can be problematic for users relying on the device for extended periods.

💡Swappable Batteries

Swappable batteries are a design feature that allows users to replace depleted batteries with fresh ones, thus extending the operational time of a device without needing to recharge. The Humane AI pin has this feature, which is praised for ensuring that the device can last a whole day without needing to be plugged in, offering more flexibility and convenience to users.

💡Voice-Activated

Voice-activated devices respond to user commands given through speech, eliminating the need for physical interaction. The Humane AI pin is described as having voice-activated capabilities, allowing users to ask questions or give commands without touching the device. This is a common feature in modern AI systems and is portrayed as a convenient way to interact with the pin.

💡Bluetooth Earbuds

Bluetooth earbuds are wireless headphones that connect to a device via Bluetooth, allowing for private listening without the need for a wired connection. The script suggests that users can connect Bluetooth earbuds to the Humane AI pin to improve the audio experience, especially when using the device outdoors where the built-in speaker may not be sufficient.

💡Subscription Cost

Subscription cost refers to the recurring fee that users must pay to continue using a service or device. The video discusses a monthly subscription fee of $24 for using the Humane AI pin as a phone, which is considered a downside by the reviewer, especially since most people already own smartphones and the pin's connectivity and features are limited.

Highlights

The Humane AI pin is a wearable device combining a microphone, camera, and cellular connectivity, allowing interaction via voice or hand-displayed laser projections.

Designed by former Apple engineers, the AI pin showcases an Apple-like aesthetic, evident in its sleek metal design and sophisticated charging accessories.

The AI pin supports hand gesture controls, allowing users to interact with the interface by moving their hand in various ways, similar to AR and VR headset technologies.

Despite its innovative design, the AI pin often overheats and shuts down temporarily, limiting its usability in continuous operations.

The laser display used for projecting information is not sufficiently bright for use in well-lit outdoor environments.

Connection to Bluetooth earbuds is supported, enhancing audio experiences in noisy environments where the built-in speaker may not suffice.

The device offers limited integration with external platforms; for instance, it only supports Tidal for music services.

Battery performance is strong, with swappable batteries ensuring the device can operate throughout the day without needing a recharge.

The AI's recognition capabilities include environmental analysis, which, while promising, currently needs further enhancement for practical reliability.

Frustration arises from the intricate hand-tracking interface, which requires precise movements and adjustments, proving difficult even for experienced AR/VR users.

Monthly subscription costs add to the overall expense of maintaining the AI pin, potentially limiting its appeal to general consumers.

The AI pin operates independently of a smartphone, which might limit its functionality given the lack of access to the comprehensive data typically stored on a user's phone.

The AI features of the pin are currently basic and require significant improvements to meet user expectations and enhance utility.

The AI pin's camera offers the ability to take quick 15-second videos, which can be immediately shared or uploaded.

Despite its advanced features, the AI pin's practical application and user interface experience significant reliability issues, affecting overall satisfaction.

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