Rabbit R1 REAL-LIFE 24-HOUR TEST | Can AI gadgets handle a busy day?

The Rabbit R1, an AI-powered device, is tested for a day to see if it can serve as a primary device. The device has a bright orange design, quick responses to simple queries, and a reasonable price. However, it has limited features and sometimes provides incorrect information. The R1 struggles with tasks like playing specific music, connecting Bluetooth, and finding the closest coffee shop. It also has issues with its controls for volume and brightness. Despite some successes, such as ordering food through DoorDash, the device often feels like a gamble to use. The reviewer questions the R1's practicality and whether it offers significant advantages over a smartphone, which is already familiar and capable. The R1's hardware is appealing, but the current experience does not meet its ambitious goals.

Takeaways

• 📱 The Rabbit R1 is an AI-powered device designed to be a companion to your smartphone, not a replacement.
• 🔋 It has a 1,000 mAh battery, but no wireless charging or included charging cable, and shows significant battery improvement after a software update.
• 🎵 The R1 performs well with Spotify commands for music playback, but has limited control over playback and queue management.
• 📊 It struggles with providing accurate sports scores and information, often getting details incorrect.
• 🏢 The device had inconsistent results when asked to find the closest coffee shop, providing varying and sometimes inaccurate locations.
• 📡 Bluetooth connectivity is poor, with stuttering music playback and only mono audio support.
• 🍔 The R1 successfully ordered lunch through DoorDash, although it had difficulty with more complex tasks and menu navigation.
• 📝 It can record and summarize conversations, but lacks the ability to review recordings or notes directly on the device.
• 👀 Vision mode allows object identification, but its utility is unclear and it sometimes fails to provide useful information.
• 📊 The device's controls for volume and brightness are cumbersome and not as intuitive as a smartphone's.
• 🚫 The R1 cannot perform many expected smartphone functions, such as setting alarms, sending texts, or video calling.
• 🤔 After extensive testing, the reviewer remains uncertain about the R1's practical applications and recommends considering whether the device offers significant advantages over a smartphone.

Q & A

What is the Rabbit R1 and what has it been noted for?

The Rabbit R1 is an AI-powered companion device that has gained attention for its retro-inspired design, reasonable price, and quick responses to straightforward research questions. It is marketed as a fast companion to smartphones rather than a device designed to replace them.

What are some limitations of the Rabbit R1 at launch?

At launch, the Rabbit R1 had a limited set of features and was not always accurate in answering questions. It also lacked the ability to perform certain tasks that users might expect from a smartphone, such as setting alarms, sending text messages, or checking live sports scores.

How does the Rabbit R1 charge and what is included in the box?

The Rabbit R1 charges via a USB-C connection and comes with a 1,000 mAh battery. However, it does not support wireless charging, and the box does not include a charger or even a USB-C cable, requiring users to use their existing smartphone charging equipment.

What was the battery life improvement after Rabbit's first comprehensive update?

After Rabbit's first comprehensive update, the battery life of the R1 was claimed to be five times better, making it capable of lasting through a full day as promised.

How did the Rabbit R1 perform with Spotify commands?

The R1 was found to be fairly good at picking up on Spotify commands and starting music playback quickly. However, it struggled with controlling playback, managing song queues, and lacked the ability to skip songs or select specific tracks hands-free.

What issues were encountered when using the Rabbit R1 to order food through DoorDash?

While the R1 successfully ordered from a local Vietnamese restaurant, it was noted that the device had difficulty when users were unsure of what they wanted. It could only provide a list of a few nearby restaurants and a limited selection of pre-selected items from the menu.

What are the limitations of the Rabbit R1's conversation recording and summarization feature?

The R1 can record and summarize conversations in real-time, but it cannot replay recordings or display summarized notes on the device itself. Users must access these features through a desktop computer, as the Rabbit Hole does not currently work on mobile devices.

How did the Rabbit R1 perform in vision mode for identifying items?

The vision mode allowed the R1 to identify items when pointed at them, but it had difficulty providing detailed information, such as track listings on a record album cover. It was also unable to connect to a phone's hotspot at one point, preventing it from accessing the internet for information.

What was the remaining battery life of the Rabbit R1 at the end of the day?

At the end of a full day of use, the Rabbit R1 had around 35% battery life remaining, which was a significant improvement compared to its performance before a major software update.

What are some of the Rabbit R1's day-to-day usability issues mentioned in the script?

The R1 had issues with its volume and brightness controls, which were difficult to adjust using only one hand. It also faced problems with Bluetooth connectivity, offering mono playback and a stuttering music experience. Additionally, it could not perform tasks like calling a ride with Uber, generating images, or using two-way translation features.

What is the overall assessment of the Rabbit R1 after a day of testing?

The overall assessment was mixed. While the R1 showed potential in certain tasks like ordering food and playing music, it fell short in others and often failed to provide a seamless experience. The device was deemed not ready for prime time and did not offer significant advantages over using a smartphone.

Outlines

00:00

📱 R1 Device Overview and Initial Impressions

The video script introduces the Rabbit R1, an AI-powered device that has gained attention for its retro design, reasonable price, and quick responses to simple queries. It is positioned as a companion to smartphones rather than a replacement. The R1 has faced criticism for its limited features and accuracy issues. The reviewer tests the R1's battery life, music streaming capabilities with Spotify, and its performance in answering sports-related questions. The device's battery life has improved significantly after an update, and it can handle music streaming but lacks control features. The R1 struggles with providing accurate sports scores and finding nearby coffee shops, indicating potential limitations in its functionality.

05:00

🎧 Bluetooth Connectivity and Door Dash Test

The reviewer experiences issues with the R1's Bluetooth connectivity, noting poor audio quality and mono playback. Despite these setbacks, the R1 successfully orders food from a local Vietnamese restaurant via Door Dash, a feat that impresses the reviewer given previous failed attempts with the service. The R1's ability to record and summarize conversations is also tested, but the lack of a way to replay recordings or access notes on the device itself is highlighted as a significant drawback. The device's 'Vision mode' is explored with mixed results; it correctly identifies a record album but fails to provide track listings, which could be obtained by direct query.

10:20

🔋 Battery Life and Software Update Impact

The R1's battery performance is tested throughout the day, and it retains an impressive 35% charge by the end, a notable improvement after a software update. The reviewer discusses the limitations of the R1's hardware, such as the difficulty in controlling volume and brightness and the lack of common smartphone functionalities like setting alarms or sending messages. The device's potential is questioned, as its features often underperform or fail to outperform a smartphone. The quick rollout of the first OTA update suggests that the manufacturer, Rabbit, is actively trying to improve the device, but the reviewer remains skeptical about the R1's readiness and utility.

15:21

🤔 R1's Value Proposition and Final Verdict

The reviewer concludes with a critical assessment of the R1, expressing uncertainty about its practical applications and recommending potential buyers to save their money for the time being. The device's ability to perform certain tasks, like playing music and ordering food, is acknowledged, but these successes are outweighed by its limitations and the inconveniences it presents. The comparison to using a smartphone is made, with the reviewer suggesting that the R1 does not offer significant advantages over familiar and versatile smartphone technology. The video script ends with a recommendation to avoid purchasing the R1 at its current price point and stage of development.

Keywords

💡Rabbit R1

The Rabbit R1 is an AI-powered companion device that is the central focus of the video. It is described as having a retro-inspired design and is being tested for its utility as a primary device for a day. The R1 is intended to be a quick companion to a smartphone rather than a replacement, which is a key point of discussion throughout the video.

💡Battery Life

Battery life refers to the duration a device can operate before needing to be recharged. In the context of the video, the R1's battery life is a significant concern. The script mentions that after Rabbit's first comprehensive update, the battery life was improved five times over the previous version, which is crucial for the device's performance throughout a busy day.

💡Spotify

Spotify is a popular music streaming service that is used in the video to test the R1's capabilities. The video discusses the R1's ability to play music from Spotify, including the challenges faced when trying to control playback and manage song queues, which are important aspects when evaluating the device's functionality.

💡DoorDash

DoorDash is an online food ordering and delivery platform. The video tests the R1's ability to order food through DoorDash, which is one of the advertised features of the device. The successful ordering of lunch from a local Vietnamese restaurant using the R1 demonstrates its potential utility in real-world scenarios.

💡Bluetooth Connectivity

Bluetooth connectivity is a wireless technology used for exchanging data over short distances. The video highlights issues with the R1's Bluetooth connection, particularly when streaming music, which stutters and only supports mono playback. This affects the user experience when trying to enjoy music wirelessly.

💡OTA Update

OTA (Over-The-Air) update refers to a wireless method of delivering software updates to devices. The script mentions an initial OTA update for the R1 that improved several aspects of the device, including battery life and responsiveness of the scroll wheel. These updates are important for enhancing user experience and fixing initial issues.

💡Vision Mode

Vision mode is a feature of the R1 that allows it to use its camera to identify objects and provide information about them. In the video, the user tests this feature by attempting to get track listings for vinyl records and information about a shoe, which does not always work as expected, indicating potential limitations in the R1's ability to visually process and provide information.

💡Mediatech Processor

The Mediatech processor is a low-power chip used in the R1 to communicate with the cloud. It is mentioned in the context of explaining why the R1 requires a separate device instead of being an app on a smartphone. The processor's role is to facilitate cloud-based AI functionalities, which are central to the R1's operation.

💡Smartphone

A smartphone is a handheld personal computer with a mobile operating system and an integrated mobile broadband cellular receiver for voice, data, and wireless service. Throughout the video, the R1 is compared to a smartphone, which sets the benchmark for functionality and user expectations. The R1's ability to complement or replace a smartphone is a key theme in the evaluation.

💡Ecosystem

The term ecosystem, in the context of the video, refers to the collection of apps, services, and features that an electronic device like the R1 can support. The video discusses the limitations of the R1's ecosystem, noting that it cannot perform certain tasks expected of a smartphone, such as setting alarms or sending text messages.

💡User Experience

User experience (UX) is all about how a product—like the R1—interacts with human beings. The video script details the tester's personal experience using the R1, highlighting both the successes and frustrations encountered. The overall UX is a critical factor in determining the device's practicality and value.

Highlights

The Rabbit R1 is an AI-powered companion with a retro-inspired design and a reasonably approachable price tag.

The R1 is marketed as a speedy companion to your smartphone rather than a replacement device.

Despite its quick answers to simple questions, the R1 has limited launch day features and accuracy issues.

The R1's battery life has improved significantly after the first comprehensive update, promising to last through a full day.

The R1 charges via USB-C but lacks wireless charging and does not include a charger or cable in the box.

The R1's passive battery drain is minimal, dropping only 3% when idle.

The R1 performs well with Spotify commands but struggles with playback control and song queue management.

The R1 had difficulty accurately providing sports scores and information about the Baltimore Orioles.

The R1 provided inconsistent and sometimes inaccurate results when searching for the closest coffee shop.

Bluetooth connectivity with the R1 is poor, with stuttering music playback and mono-only sound output.

The R1 successfully ordered lunch through DoorDash, although with some initial difficulty.

The R1's conversation summarization feature requires a desktop computer to access notes, as it does not work on mobile devices.

Vision mode in the R1 allows for object identification but has limitations in providing detailed information.

The R1 had connectivity issues when attempting to use it as a hotspot.

After a day of use, the R1 still had an impressive 35% battery remaining.

The R1's software updates have improved its performance, but there are still significant areas for enhancement.

The R1's controls for volume and brightness are cumbersome and not as intuitive as a smartphone's.

The R1's functionality is limited compared to a smartphone, raising questions about its practical use and value proposition.

The reviewer suggests that the R1 may not be worth the $200 investment, given its current capabilities and limitations.