The Worst Product I've Ever Reviewed... For Now

The Humane AI Pin is introduced as a brand new, ultra-futuristic wearable computer. Despite its exciting and novel form factor, the reviewer immediately labels it as the worst product he has ever reviewed in its current state, citing numerous issues that distract from its intended purpose. The video will first explain what the device is supposed to do, and then detail the reviewer's actual experience using it.

The AI Pin is a small, wearable computer with an AI assistant to help throughout the day. It features a camera, microphone, touchpad, and a laser projector that displays on the user's hand, controlled by gestures. The device costs $700 plus a $24 monthly subscription for data and services. It acts as a standalone device with its own internet connection and phone number, not pairing with a smartphone. The hardware build is generally praised for its solid aluminum construction, strong magnets, and clever hot-swappable battery boosters. It includes various charging accessories. The pin's lights indicate activity and notifications. Key alleged features include answering questions, multimodal interaction with its camera, taking photos and 15-second videos, remembering user input, and a fluent real-time translation feature.

The reviewer states that the AI Pin is bad at almost everything it does. It's often slow, as most requests go to the Cloud, resulting in long wait times. It's frequently inaccurate or 'hallucinates' answers, and experiences server timeouts with poor internet. Examples include incorrect eclipse dates, misinterpreting voice commands, and failing to provide useful traffic information. The battery life is consistently poor and inconsistent, requiring multiple charges daily and constant booster swaps. The device also runs warm and has overheated multiple times. Basic functionalities like setting a timer or alarm are missing. The notification light is poorly placed and often unnoticed. Photo and video quality are low, and videos are limited to 15 seconds. The 'Humane Center' web portal for syncing frequently stops working. The projector, while technically impressive, is not bright enough for outdoor use and is generally unreadable, making interaction difficult.

A significant drawback is the complete absence of apps. The pin only syncs with Apple, Google, Microsoft (for contacts), and Tidal (for music). There's no access to popular services like Uber, Spotify, WhatsApp, calendars, or email, severely limiting its utility compared to a smartphone. Everyday tasks like buying items online or adjusting directions are cumbersome or impossible without a screen, highlighting the overwhelming superiority of smartphones in these areas. Sending a photo from the AI Pin requires a multi-step process that ultimately sends a link to a web portal, rather than directly sending the image, underscoring the friction compared to a smartphone.

The fundamental problem for the AI Pin is that modern smartphones are vastly superior in almost every aspect: speed, ease of use, quality, and versatility. Smartphones take better photos and videos, handle calls and texts more efficiently, and work in more diverse environments. The pin's core idea of a human-like AI assistant is appealing, but to be truly helpful, an assistant needs to know a lot about the user. The AI Pin, being a standalone device that doesn't connect to a smartphone, lacks access to personal data like schedules, contacts, and preferences, putting it at a massive disadvantage. Furthermore, if the pin is used for calls and texts, it operates on a separate phone number, creating fragmented conversation threads.

The reviewer speculates that Humane's decision to make the AI Pin a standalone device, disconnected from smartphones, is a bet on a powerful future where it operates independently, similar to Apple's Vision Pro. However, this ambition leaves the current product 'hamstrung' and suffering from its projected future. While the AI Pin occasionally works as intended, offering glimpses of its potential, these moments are rare. An example of a successful use case was using it to quickly record an idea while driving, a situation where a smartphone would be dangerous or inconvenient. Its unique first-person video capture is also noted, despite poor quality. The device's primary appeal might be to those seeking to minimize screen time, but the current experience is riddled with friction and annoyance. The reviewer concludes that no one should buy the product in its current state, emphasizing that it has a long way to go, despite respecting Humane's innovative attempt.