Summary
Highlights
The Humane AI Pin is introduced as a brand new, ultra-futuristic wearable computer. It's described as an interesting form factor in a time of many new gadgets. However, the reviewer immediately states that it's one of the worst products he's ever reviewed in its current state, due to numerous issues. The video will first explain what the device is supposed to do, and then detail the actual user experience.
The AI Pin is a small, wearable computer with AI designed to assist throughout the day. It's about the size of a large watch, features a camera, microphone, touchpad, and a projector with gesture controls. It costs $700, plus a $24/month subscription for data and services. It's a standalone device with its own internet connection and phone number, not pairing with a smartphone. The idea is to talk to it like a person for questions, facts, recommendations, brainstorming, and communication. However, it's quickly noted that the device is too difficult to use for most of these functions.
The hardware of the AI Pin is genuinely impressive. It's solid aluminum, dense, and available in three colors. It's packed with sensors, including a camera, microphones, lights, and a tiny class 2 laser projector. The magnetic 'boosters' (extra batteries) allow for hot-swapping to keep the device powered. It comes with a well-made charging case and a desktop charging puck. Notification lights indicate activity and pending messages. The craftsmanship is highly praised as the best aspect of the product.
The AI Pin functions as a personal AI assistant. It activates by touch, not a wake word, allowing users to ask questions. It's multimodal, meaning it can use its camera to perceive and interact with the environment, sending images to the cloud for analysis. It can take pictures and 15-second videos that auto-upload when charging, and it can remember information users tell it. All interactions are stored in the 'Humane Center' web portal. A standout feature is two-finger gesture for real-time language translation. For private or loud environments, a projector displays a 720p mini-screen on the user's hand, controlled by 3D gestures like rolling a marble and pinching, which are initially intuitive but 'fidgety'.
The AI Pin is criticized for being slow, often inaccurate, and generally bad at almost everything it does. Most requests are sent to the cloud, causing significant delays and server timeouts, especially with poor internet. The AI frequently hallucinates or misunderstands prompts. Battery life is poor and inconsistent, requiring constant 'babysitting' and swapping of boosters multiple times a day. The device often gets warm and overheats due to inefficient wireless charging through clothes. Its weight and placement can be uncomfortable, especially with lighter fabrics. Key functionalities like timers, alarms, and reliable notifications are missing or poorly implemented. Photos and videos are low quality, noisy, and limited to 15 seconds. The 'Humane Center' web portal randomly stops working, and the projector display is often unreadable outdoors or at a distance.
A major drawback is the complete lack of apps. The device only syncs with Apple, Google, Microsoft (for contacts), and Tidal (for music). There's no integration with common services like Uber, Spotify, WhatsApp, calendars, or email, severely limiting its utility compared to a smartphone. The reviewer emphasizes that smartphones are 'OP' (overpowered) in comparison, performing every function of the AI Pin better, faster, and more easily. Sending a picture, for example, is a convoluted process on the AI Pin that results in a link to a web portal, unlike the frictionless experience on a phone. The constant need to use a phone to verify or complete tasks the pin struggles with highlights its inferiority.
The AI Pin lacks the deep personalization of a smartphone because it doesn't communicate with it. It cannot access user schedules, contacts, or preferences stored on the phone, putting it at a massive disadvantage as an assistant. The device's standalone nature, including its own phone number, creates a communication gap, as message threads initiated on the pin are separate from those on a phone. The reviewer theorizes that Humane intentionally made it a standalone device to avoid setting a precedent of smartphone dependency, aiming for a powerful, independent future. This decision, much like the Apple Vision Pro's independence from the iPhone, currently leaves the device 'hamstrung by its ideal future version of itself'.
Despite its numerous flaws, the reviewer occasionally experiences moments where the AI Pin works exactly as intended, fulfilling its futuristic promise. He cites an example of effortlessly dictating an idea while driving, which was then saved in the Humane AI Center. Unique first-person videos, though low quality, offer a frictionless capture method. The core appeal lies with users who want to minimize screen time, offering 'a glimmer of hope for that future' at the expense of functionality. However, the constant friction, fumbling, and annoyance make it difficult to commit to using. The reviewer concludes that no one should buy the product currently, as it has a long way to go to become a viable device, despite respecting the attempt to create something new. Future updates, including number sharing, are planned but without specific dates.