The Worst Product I've Ever Reviewed... For Now
TLDRThe Humane AI Pin is a futuristic wearable computer that has garnered significant attention for its innovative form factor. Despite its potential, the device has been criticized for its current shortcomings. Priced at $700 with a monthly subscription, the AI Pin is a standalone device with its own internet connection and phone number. It offers features like voice interaction, image recognition, and translation services. However, the device struggles with slow response times, inaccuracies, and battery life issues. The hardware is well-crafted, but its weight and the need for frequent charging detract from the user experience. The lack of app support and the device's inability to connect with smartphones further limit its functionality. While the concept is promising, the AI Pin in its current state is not recommended for purchase, as it offers more inconvenience than utility.
Takeaways
- 📌 The Humane AI Pin is a futuristic wearable computer that the reviewer considers the worst product they've reviewed so far due to numerous issues.
- 💰 It costs $700 plus a $24 monthly subscription for data, services, and online storage, which the reviewer finds to be a steep price for the current functionality.
- 🔵 The device is designed to be a standalone AI assistant with its own internet connection and phone number, but this independence leads to compatibility and usability issues.
- 🔋 Battery life is a significant problem; the device needs frequent charging and swapping of boosters, which is inconvenient and time-consuming.
- 📸 The built-in camera takes poor quality photos and videos, and the projector screen is not very readable, especially outdoors.
- 🤖 The AI is slow and often provides incorrect information, with many queries relying on cloud processing which can lead to server timeouts and delays.
- 🔥 The device tends to overheat, possibly due to the inefficiency of wireless charging, and requires cooling down periods.
- 📱 The reviewer emphasizes that smartphones are currently superior in almost every way, performing tasks faster, better, and more conveniently.
- 🚫 The device lacks many common app functionalities, such as access to Spotify, Uber, or online shopping, which limits its practicality.
- 🔗 The Humane AI Pin does not connect to a smartphone, which means it cannot access the wealth of personal data and preferences stored there, hindering its effectiveness as a personal assistant.
- 🌐 The lack of app support and the device's standalone nature mean it cannot perform many tasks that users are accustomed to doing on their phones, leading to frustration.
- ⏲ Despite some positive aspects, such as the ability to record unique first-person videos and save voice memos, the overall experience is marred by the device's shortcomings.
Q & A
What is the Humane AI Pin?
-The Humane AI Pin is a wearable computer with an integrated AI assistant. It is about the size of a large watch and comes with a camera, microphone, touch pad, and a projector for gesture control. It is designed to assist users throughout their day without pairing to a smartphone.
What are the costs associated with the Humane AI Pin?
-The Humane AI Pin costs $700, plus there is a $24 monthly subscription plan for data, services, and online storage.
How does the AI Pin interact with the world around you?
-The AI Pin has a camera and microphone to interact with the environment. It can also use gesture control through a built-in laser projector that projects a UI onto the user's hand.
What are some of the issues with the AI Pin?
-The AI Pin has several issues including slow response times, incorrect answers, poor battery life, overheating problems, and a lack of app support. It also has a standalone nature that does not integrate well with existing smartphone functionalities.
How does the AI Pin's camera and projector work?
-The camera on the AI Pin can take pictures or record up to 15-second videos. The projector allows the user to interact with a UI that is displayed on their hand, using gesture controls for navigation.
What is the purpose of the 'booster' in the AI Pin system?
-The booster is an additional battery that attaches to the AI Pin, effectively doubling its battery life. It uses strong magnets to attach to the pin and charges inductively.
What are the subscription services included with the AI Pin?
-The monthly subscription for the AI Pin includes data, various services, and online storage for the device.
Why does the reviewer suggest that the AI Pin is not ready for the market?
-The reviewer suggests that the AI Pin is not ready for the market due to its numerous technical issues, slow performance, high cost, and the inconvenience of its standalone nature without seamless integration with smartphones.
What potential future use case does the reviewer see for the AI Pin?
-The reviewer sees potential for the AI Pin for individuals who want to spend as little time as possible with a screen in their hands or on their phones, although they note that the current friction and inconvenience outweigh this benefit.
How does the AI Pin handle tasks like making phone calls and sending text messages?
-The AI Pin can make phone calls and send text messages using its own internet connection and phone number, independent of the user's smartphone.
What is the reviewer's final verdict on the AI Pin?
-The reviewer's final verdict is that the AI Pin, in its current state, is not a product that anyone should buy. They suggest waiting for future updates and improvements before considering it a viable option.
Outlines
🤖 Introduction to the Humane AI Pin
The Humane AI Pin is a novel wearable computer with an integrated AI assistant. It's a standalone device with its own internet connection and phone number. The device is equipped with a camera, microphone, touchpad, and a projector for gesture control. It's designed to assist users throughout their day by answering questions, making calls, sending texts, and more. However, the reviewer finds it to be the worst product they've reviewed, with a multitude of issues that make it difficult to use effectively.
🔍 Multimodal Capabilities and Online Portal
The AI Pin has multimodal capabilities, allowing it to use its camera to interact with the environment and answer questions about its surroundings. It can take photos and videos, which are auto-uploaded while charging. The device syncs with an online web portal called Humane Center, where users can access their call history, texts, and other interactions with the AI. One of its notable features is the real-time language translation, which allows for easy communication with speakers of different languages.
📡 Connectivity and Battery Life Issues
The AI Pin relies heavily on cloud computing, which results in slow response times and frequent inaccuracies. It also has significant battery life issues, requiring constant attention and frequent swapping of boosters. The device tends to overheat, which is concerning for users. The hardware is well-made but heavy, making it uncomfortable to wear for extended periods. The device also lacks basic functionalities like setting timers or alarms and has limited notification visibility.
📱 Smartphone Superiority and App Limitations
The AI Pin is at a disadvantage compared to modern smartphones, which perform all the pin's functions more efficiently and with higher quality. The pin cannot match the convenience and speed of smartphones for tasks like calling, texting, and internet searches. It also lacks the ability to run apps, severely limiting its functionality. The device's standalone nature means it doesn't have access to the wealth of information and integrations available on a smartphone.
🚧 Future Ambitions and Current Shortcomings
The reviewer suggests that the Humane AI Pin is designed with future ambitions in mind, aiming to be a powerful standalone device. However, this vision hinders its current functionality, as it doesn't connect to or integrate with smartphones. The device has some useful features, like recording ideas while driving or capturing unique first-person videos, but these are outweighed by the friction and inconvenience it introduces into everyday tasks. The reviewer advises against purchasing the device in its current state and appreciates the effort to innovate despite the product's shortcomings.
Mindmap
Keywords
Humane AI Pin
Standalone Device
Gesture Control
Subscription Plan
AI Assistant
Multimodal Interaction
Battery Life
Smartphone
Smart Glasses
Futuristic Wearable
Product Review
Highlights
The Humane AI Pin is an ultra futuristic wearable computer.
It is considered the worst product the reviewer has ever reviewed in its current state.
The device costs $700 plus a $24 monthly subscription for data, services, and online storage.
The AI Pin does not pair with smartphones and operates as a standalone device with its own internet connection and phone number.
Hardware build is impressive with an aluminum body, strong magnets, and densely packed sensors.
The device features a camera, microphone, touch pad, and projector with gesture control.
AI Pin can answer questions, make phone calls, send texts, and interact with the environment through its camera.
The device has a multimodal feature allowing it to analyze images and provide information based on visual input.
The AI Pin can translate languages in real-time during conversations.
It uses a laser projector to create a 3D user interface on the user's hand for silent interactions.
The AI Pin struggles with slow responses, inaccuracies, and server timeouts, especially with cloud-dependent queries.
Battery life is poor and inconsistent, requiring frequent swapping of boosters and charging throughout the day.
The device is often warm to the touch, potentially due to the inefficiency of wireless charging.
The AI Pin is heavy and can be cumbersome to wear for extended periods.
Photos and videos taken with the AI Pin are of poor quality, with a noisy and limited 15-second video length.
The device lacks app support, severely limiting its functionality compared to smartphones.
Smartphones are identified as a major competition due to their superior capabilities and convenience.
The AI Pin's standalone nature means it doesn't have access to the wealth of personal data a smartphone has, hindering its effectiveness as an assistant.
The reviewer suggests that the AI Pin might be a consideration for those wanting to reduce screen time, despite its flaws.
The device is not recommended for purchase at its current state, and consumers are advised to skip it.