The Humane AI Pin solves nothing and makes me feel stupid

Engadget
11 Apr 202410:22

TLDRThe Humane AI Pin, a product developed by former Apple engineers, initially attracted attention with its sleek design and innovative projector setup. However, users have experienced frustration due to its laggy performance and cumbersome usage. The device's heat issues have led to accidental burns, and its $700 price tag feels unjustified for the quality. The projector screen, a key feature, is difficult to see outdoors and requires frequent re-entry of passwords when repositioned. The OS, built on a web app, is limited in functionality and lacks intuitive settings. Connecting to Wi-Fi is a convoluted process, and the device's reliance on voice commands can be impractical in public spaces. The AI Pin's accessories, while intended to increase versatility, add to the complexity of use. Despite some software improvements, the device remains a first-generation product with many unresolved issues, and at its current price and service fees, it does not offer a compelling alternative to existing technology.

Takeaways

  • 🤔 The Humane AI pin is plagued with usability issues, making it frustrating to use despite its innovative concept.
  • 💰 At $700, the cost of the device is high for a first-generation product with significant drawbacks.
  • 🔥 The device runs hot, causing safety concerns and discomfort to the user.
  • 😣 The magnetic battery pack is difficult to attach and can pinch fingers, leading to physical pain.
  • 📱 The lag and cumbersome interface make the device feel outdated compared to existing technology.
  • 👀 The projected screen is hard to see outdoors and requires constant repositioning when moving the device.
  • 🔍 The device's OS is built on a web app, limiting its functionality and making some settings difficult to access.
  • 📡 Connecting to Wi-Fi is a convoluted process, especially for password-protected networks.
  • 🗣️ The voice interaction feature is not private and can be awkward to use in public spaces.
  • 🧥 The need to move the pin between different clothing items and re-enter passwords is cumbersome.
  • 🏋️‍♂️ Wearing the pin during physical activities like gym workouts can be impractical and unsafe.
  • 🔄 Despite some software improvements, the device still faces fundamental issues that hinder its usability.
  • 🎶 Music playback functionality was initially non-operational but later improved through software updates.
  • 📈 The device's ambition to act as a 'second brain' is commendable but currently unmet due to technical shortcomings.

Q & A

  • What was the initial impression of the Humane AI pin?

    -The initial impression of the Humane AI pin was positive, with the reviewer being enamored by its clean design and intriguing projector setup.

  • What were some of the safety issues mentioned with the Humane AI pin?

    -The safety issues mentioned include pinching fingers while reattaching the magnetic battery pack and the device running so hot that it caused accidental burns to the user.

  • How does the Humane AI pin's lag and cumbersome operation affect its usability?

    -The lag and cumbersome operation make the Humane AI pin frustrating to use, with the reviewer stating that it's not worth the effort, especially considering its high price point.

  • What is the significance of the Humane AI pin's design team being former Apple engineers?

    -The significance is that the Humane AI pin incorporates a lot of Apple's design language, which the reviewer found appealing and drew them to the product initially.

  • What are some of the thoughtful design touches mentioned in the script?

    -Some thoughtful design touches include the flush fit of the booster pack in the charging cradle and the satisfying feel of the magnets clicking into place when the charging case is opened and closed.

  • How does the projector screen feature of the Humane AI pin compare to expectations?

    -The projector screen feature, while innovative and ambitious, was underwhelming in execution, causing frustration due to its laggy performance and the physical strain it put on the user's arm.

  • What are the limitations of the Humane AI pin's outdoor visibility?

    -The limitations include difficulty in seeing the screen on a cloudy or rainy day, making it hard to read the words projected on the palm.

  • How does the Humane AI pin handle OS settings and customization?

    -Most of the settings and customization options are built into the OS on the device, making it difficult to access and adjust settings without waving your hand in front of the device.

  • What are the challenges faced when connecting to Wi-Fi using the Humane AI pin?

    -Connecting to Wi-Fi, especially password-protected networks, is cumbersome and nearly impossible through the pin alone. Users must either dictate the password or use a QR code generated from their phone.

  • How does the Humane AI pin's reliance on voice interaction affect privacy and public use?

    -The reliance on voice interaction means that using the pin in public can be intrusive and not private, as it requires speaking out loud, which many people may not feel comfortable doing.

  • What are the practicality issues with wearing the Humane AI pin on clothing?

    -The practicality issues include the need to reposition the pin when changing clothes and the inconvenience of having to re-enter the password each time the pin is moved to a different garment.

  • What are the reviewer's final thoughts on the value and usability of the Humane AI pin?

    -The reviewer concludes that the Humane AI pin, despite its ambitious concept, is not worth the cost and effort due to its numerous usability issues, safety concerns, and the existence of better alternatives from Apple and Google.

Outlines

00:00

🤖 Initial Enchantment and Disappointment with Humane AI Pin

The speaker begins by expressing initial fascination with the Humane AI pin, attracted by its sleek design and innovative projector setup. However, this enthusiasm wanes as they encounter practical issues such as pinched fingers when reattaching the magnetic battery pack and accidental burns due to the device's high temperature. The product's high cost is contrasted with its lack of usability, and the speaker reflects on overlooking flaws in the product's early stages, much like in a new relationship. The Humane AI pin's lag and cumbersome operation are criticized, and the influence of Apple's design language is acknowledged, with the speaker noting the satisfying aspects of the device's design, such as the flush charging cradle and the responsive magnets. Despite these thoughtful touches, the device's shortcomings, including the strong magnets causing injury and the underwhelming execution of the projector screen, lead to a conclusion that the Humane AI pin is not worth the effort in its current iteration.

05:00

🔒 Frustration with Connectivity and Usability of Humane AI Pin

The speaker details their frustration with the Humane AI pin's connectivity process, particularly when connecting to password-protected Wi-Fi networks. They describe the process as cumbersome, involving dictating the password aloud, which could be inconvenient in public, or scanning a QR code generated from another device. The speaker also criticizes the AI pin's reliance on wearing garments, as it must be moved between different clothing items, and the necessity to re-enter a password each time the device is repositioned. They further discuss the device's lack of privacy due to its voice-activated nature, which is not suitable for public use without causing discomfort to the user or others. The speaker also mentions the device's operating system, which is primarily accessed through a web app, and criticizes the limited functionality and the inconvenience of adjusting settings through the device's projected interface. The speaker concludes this section by expressing disappointment with the AI pin's high cost and its failure to provide a compelling alternative to existing technology.

10:02

🏋️‍♂️健身房体验与设备过热问题

The speaker recounts their experience using the Humane AI pin at the gym, noting that certain activities felt unsafe due to the risk of dislodging the device. They also discuss the device's tendency to overheat, causing it to shut down unexpectedly and leading to instances of personal injury. Despite some software improvements during their testing period, such as the resolution of issues with music playback, the speaker remains unconvinced by the value proposition of the Humane AI pin. They express their disappointment with the product's high price point, the requirement of a monthly subscription for AI and wireless services, and the device's limitations compared to established voice assistants from Apple and Google. The speaker concludes by urging potential buyers to consider the full review on their website for a more comprehensive evaluation, including aspects like battery life and camera performance.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Humane AI Pin

The Humane AI Pin is a wearable device that projects a screen onto the user's palm and allows interaction through gestures. It is described as being cumbersome and laggy in the script, causing frustration for the user. The device is also criticized for its high cost and the inconvenience of re-entering passwords when repositioning it on clothing.

💡Magnetic Battery Pack

The magnetic battery pack is a component of the Humane AI Pin that attaches to the device. The user found it difficult to reattach due to the strength of the magnets, which led to pinched fingers. It also ran hot, causing burns, which highlights a safety concern.

💡Projector Setup

The projector setup refers to the innovative feature of the Humane AI Pin that projects a screen onto the user's palm. While it was initially seen as a smart and futuristic concept, the execution was found to be underwhelming and impractical, with issues such as difficulty in outdoor visibility and strain on the user's arm.

💡Gesture Interaction

Gesture interaction is the method by which the user is supposed to control the Humane AI Pin, using hand movements like pinching, tilting, and clenching. However, the script describes the process as tiring and impractical, especially for users with smaller hands or when needing to frequently re-enter passwords.

💡Web App

The Humane AI Pin's operating system is primarily built onto a web app, which is intended to be accessible through any device with a browser. Despite the promise of platform agnosticism, the script criticizes the limited functionality and the inconvenience of accessing settings, which detracts from the user experience.

💡Wi-Fi Connectivity

Connecting to Wi-Fi is portrayed as a cumbersome process with the Humane AI Pin, especially for password-protected networks. The user must either dictate the password, which could be problematic in public, or scan a QR code generated from a phone, adding unnecessary steps and complexity.

💡Voice Assistants

Voice assistants, such as those developed by Apple and Google, are mentioned as alternatives to the Humane AI Pin that have already solved some of the problems the Pin encounters. The script suggests that the Pin's reliance on voice input can be impractical and unprivate in public settings.

💡Accessories

The Humane AI Pin comes with various accessories designed to allow the user to wear the device in different settings, such as the gym or office. However, the script describes issues with using the Pin during physical activities, such as the fear of dislodging the device during a sandbag clean.

💡Cost

The cost of the Humane AI Pin is a significant point of contention in the script, with the user expressing that the $700 price tag, along with the additional monthly fees for AI and wireless services, is not justified given the device's shortcomings and the inconveniences it presents.

💡Password Entry

The process of entering a password on the Humane AI Pin is described as awkward and inconvenient. The user must perform a gesture with their hand to input the password, which becomes tiresome and impractical when it needs to be done frequently, such as when moving the device between different clothing items.

💡Heat Issues

The script highlights that the Humane AI Pin runs hot during operation, to the point where it automatically shuts down to prevent damage due to overheating. This not only interrupts the user experience but also poses a safety hazard, as the user mentions getting burned multiple times.

Highlights

The Humane AI pin initially intrigued with its clean design and projector setup but proved to be frustrating and potentially harmful due to overheating and pinching issues.

The product, costing $700, caused injury to the user multiple times, highlighting safety concerns.

The AI pin's lag and cumbersome operation make it not worth the effort, despite its innovative concept.

The creators, former Apple engineers, incorporated Apple's design language, which was superficially appealing.

Thoughtful design touches, such as the magnetic battery pack, were overshadowed by the product's functional flaws.

The projector screen, a hallmark feature, was underwhelming in execution and caused physical strain due to prolonged use.

The device's interaction with gestures was limited by the user's hand size and visibility issues in outdoor conditions.

Most of the OS is built onto a web app, but it offers limited functionality and requires awkward hand movements for settings.

Connecting to Wi-Fi was a cumbersome process, especially for password-protected networks.

The AI pin's reliance on voice commands raises privacy concerns and is not practical for public use.

The device's requirement to be worn on clothing and the need to re-enter passwords when moving it is inconvenient.

Accessories designed for various settings, like the gym, were not practical and raised safety concerns during exercise.

The AI pin overheated frequently, causing shutdowns and additional safety hazards.

Music playback functionality improved over time, but was initially non-functional.

The AI pin is currently only compatible with Spotify, limiting its music streaming options.

At $700 plus a monthly service fee, the AI pin is expensive for a first-generation device with significant drawbacks.

The user experience with the Humane AI pin was consistently negative, feeling cumbersome and unintuitive.

Despite ambition, the Humane AI pin fails to offer a superior alternative to existing voice assistants from Apple and Google.

For a comprehensive review, including battery life and camera performance, visit Angadget.com.