Former Apple employees created the “AI Pin” to change how we use the internet. What exactly is it?
Tech firms have been striving to create a wearable that can replace phones for some time. They aim to introduce a more convenient and practical gadget that surpasses the phone’s popularity. As a result, this often leads to inventions that make computing more accessible. In the past, people tried making different products like Google Glass or Meta’s virtual world. Elon Musk also had his own project to put a chip in the brain, which was scary.
The future of tech might be in a device that’s different from Google Glass. This device will not make your screen time more intrusive but will eliminate it.
Humane, Inc., a tech startup founded by two ex-Apple employees, developed the “AI Pin”. Backed by Microsoft and OpenAI, they’ve been promoting it for months. It’s supposed to revolutionize the way we use computers. The device will go on sale next week, on Nov 9th. But what is it exactly? Does it live up to the hype?
What is an “AI Pin”?
The “AI Pin” is a small laser projector that attaches to your shirt. It can make calls, surf the web, and respond to questions. This device doesn’t need to be connected to a phone or computer. The “AI Pin” projects data onto your hand, which is like a hologram from “Star Trek“. It doesn’t have a screen.
Humane has created a device called the “AI Pin”. The device uses a Qualcomm Snapdragon chip and runs on an advanced algorithm called GPT-4. It can answer your questions, collect data, and interact with the world around you. In addition to this, it is equipped with a microphone, camera, and other sensors.
Humane, founded by Imran Chaudhri and Bethany Bongiorno, designed the “AI Pin.”The couple worked at Apple. Chaudhri helped create the iPhone’s “slide to unlock” feature. Bongiorno managed and launched products. They left Apple in 2017, then started Humane a year later. The “AI Pin” is their first product of many that will transform personal technology.
You might be thinking, “This is strange and fascinating, but what is it exactly?” In May of this year, Chowdhury gave a TED Talk where he explained why the device is attractive.
It works like you, hearing and seeing what you do, but it’s private, safe, and unobtrusive. The new computer lets you work and stay aware of your surroundings. It’s called “screenless,” “seamless,” and “sensory.”
The Humane team wants to reduce our phone usage. They created the “AI Pin” device to help us. This could lessen our screen time and make life better. Many people have a bad relationship with phones and want to use them less. The “AI Pin” may help with that. Chaudhry and Bongiorno made this device. It is like a phone, but it tracks our data all the time.
The “AI Pin” is more than a phone. It answers questions, recommends things, and reads your emails. It also sends reminders and notifications. In the future, the company wants it to work with other IoT devices and software.
The “AI Pin” by Humane is a luxury product. It is like an iPhone in price range and status. The Information says it will cost about $1,000.
Assumed privacy features
Screenless gadgets are unusual and appealing, but they may have some issues. It could be scary to carry a recording device all the time without adequate protection. The “AI Pin” might become a privacy nightmare if not handled well. However, Humane assures that the device has several privacy features to avoid being creepy. One of these is the “trust light,” which turns on when the camera, microphone, or sensors work. The “AI Pin” won’t stay open in the background like Alexa and will only activate when you want it to.
Humane should be more transparent to gain our approval. The company hasn’t shared what they will do with the data collected by their device or where it will be stored. They also haven’t said if they will sell it or not. This is information that users would want to know. Humane’s product gathers a lot of sensitive data, which could be taken by hackers. It’s like a dream for cybercriminals.
OpenAI connection
Humane has competition. Its investors are among its competitors, as some commentators have noted. While Humane is developing the “AI Pin,” other companies are releasing similar products. One of Humane’s competitors, Rewind AI, has a cheaper pendant for $59, but it is less powerful than the “AI Pin”. Sam Altman, one of Humane’s main investors, is talking with Jony Ive. They want to create a “new device” for artificial intelligence. This might be a problem since Altman owns most shares in Humane. This means that the competition could even come from its biggest supporters. It will be hard for Humane to lead in automated wearables soon.
