Humane AI Pin Review: Vanguard of a New Era

In the world of technology, few products spark as much excitement and skepticism as the Humane AI Pin. For those of us who have long been inspired by the fantastical future technologies of Star Trek, the AI Pin represents a vision of the future that’s hard to ignore. It’s a mobile phone designed to save us from our phones—promising to keep us connected while eliminating the need for constant screens. But does this $699 wearable live up to its ambitious goals? In this review, we’ll dive deep into the design, functionality, and potential of the Humane AI Pin.

The Promise of the Humane AI Pin

The Humane AI Pin aims to offer an entirely new way of interacting with technology. Inspired by the Tricorder badge from Star Trek, it’s designed to be a mobile assistant that seamlessly integrates into our everyday lives without the intrusive nature of smartphones. At just 34 grams, this device is lightweight, attaches to your clothing with a magnetic backing, and aims to bring essential smartphone functionality without the screen. The idea of a wearable AI assistant is intriguing, but does it deliver?

One of the strongest aspects of the AI Pin is its hardware design. The pin features aluminum casing with Gorilla Glass Victus, a high-quality touchpad, and an IPX4 water resistance rating. However, despite its sleek design, battery life is a concern, with the device frequently overheating after extended use.

What’s Inside the Humane AI Pin?

At its core, the AI Pin runs on a Snapdragon 720G system-on-chip, similar to what you would find in mid-range smartphones. It includes most of the components expected in a small computer: a tiny internal battery, charging coil, a speaker, dual microphones, and a 4G LTE radio. The pin also features Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, GPS, and an accelerometer for a variety of functions. On top of that, the optical array consists of a wide-angle camera, depth sensor, and laser projector, which serve as the device’s primary display.

The laser projector is one of the standout features of the AI Pin. It projects a 720p image onto the palm of your hand, turning it into a home screen. With a simple wave of your hand, the projector creates a cursor-like effect, allowing you to tap and interact with the device. However, the laser’s performance outside can be a bit lacking—its brightness is nearly invisible under direct sunlight, which makes it hard to use when you need it most.

Voice Interface and AI Capabilities

The Humane AI Pin’s primary interface is voice-based, allowing you to interact with it without taking your hands off what you’re doing. Simply hold the touchpad while speaking, and the device responds. The Trust Light ensures privacy, glowing orange when the device is listening. One major feature of the AI Pin is its AI assistant, which uses a blend of large language models (including OpenAI and Microsoft) to answer questions and perform tasks. However, while it performs well in some situations, the AI’s performance is inconsistent.

For instance, it can give you useful information, like the time of a ferry from Red Hook to Wall Street, but in other instances, it falls short—providing inaccurate information like the wrong times for eclipses or nearby coffee shops. Moreover, simple tasks like redialing calls or sending text messages via voice input can be maddening. The AI struggles with understanding and often requires multiple attempts to complete basic actions. These glitches are frustrating for a device that promises to be an intuitive assistant.

Battery Life and Charging Issues

Battery life remains one of the most significant drawbacks of the Humane AI Pin. The Perpetual Power System includes two external boosters that charge the pin through your shirt. While this clever design helps solve the issue of battery life, it’s far from perfect. The AI Pin’s projector consumes significant power, resulting in only 6 to 9 minutes of use per session. This is problematic for anyone looking to rely on it for extended periods. To make matters worse, if the device runs out of battery, it can take up to 20 minutes to recharge.

Cellular and Connectivity

For connectivity, the Humane AI Pin requires a $24/month subscription to access its cellular features, including unlimited calls, texts, and data, powered by T-Mobile’s network. Although the pin functions similarly to a smartphone for communication, the speaker’s volume isn’t always sufficient for noisy environments, like bars. However, pairing it with Bluetooth earphones, like the Nothing Ear buds, significantly improves the audio experience, especially for private calls.

Privacy and Security Considerations

Humane is careful with the AI Pin’s privacy features. Unlike many smart speakers or smartphones that are always listening, the AI Pin only activates when you press and hold the touchpad, signaling it’s time to talk. This avoids the feeling of being constantly surveilled by the device. However, you won’t be able to record audio notes for now, and there’s no support for calendar events or health tracking—features many would expect from such a device.

Limitations and Future Potential

The Humane AI Pin, despite its bold vision, falls short of its promise. While the hardware is impressive, and the concept of a wearable AI assistant is groundbreaking, the device doesn’t yet perform well enough for everyday use. Its projector and battery issues are major obstacles, and the AI needs significant improvement before it can become a reliable assistant.

That said, Humane’s mission to free us from the over-reliance on smartphone screens is admirable, and there is potential for future updates to improve the device. It’s clear that the team behind the Humane AI Pin is striving for something revolutionary. While it doesn’t meet the mark now, it’s a product to watch as it evolves.

Conclusion: Should You Buy the Humane AI Pin?

In its current form, the Humane AI Pin is a work-in-progress. The concept is innovative, but the device’s limitations—especially around battery life, AI functionality, and projector performance—make it hard to recommend for everyday use. However, if you’re a tech enthusiast curious about the future of wearable AI technology, the Humane AI Pin is certainly worth keeping an eye on. With the potential for future updates, it might one day evolve into the device it promises to be. For now, though, it’s best to wait and see how it develops.