Humane Inc. has declared the end of their AI Pin, a device that didn’t manage to live up to expectations. The gadget’s services and connectivity will cease in just over a week. This decision comes in the wake of tech giant HP expressing interest in acquiring Humane’s assets, a deal reportedly valued at $116 million. This figure, however, hasn’t been verified by Humane. Previously, there were reports of Humane hoping for a buyout in the range of $750 million to $1 billion.
Announcing the decision on their website, Humane stated that they are phasing out the AI Pin to focus on future projects. They promised to share more details about their future plans in due time.
The AI Pin was introduced to the market a year ago as a revolutionary wearable gadget leveraging the potential of AI technology. The device, which lacked a display, operated through voice commands and projected words and images onto the user’s palm. The device was priced at $699 with a $24 monthly subscription to access all AI features.
Despite the initial excitement surrounding the innovative device, the AI Pin turned out to be a colossal failure. Early reviews highlighted its disappointing performance and problematic functionality, leading to a less than satisfactory user experience. Renowned tech review channel MKBHD labeled it as “The worst product I’ve ever reviewed… for now,” whilst Digital Trends likened it to “a pitiful smartphone substitute.”
As a result of these negative reviews and poor sales, the AI Pin’s lifecycle is now coming to an end.
Humane has begun the process of discontinuing the AI Pin, as stated on an FAQ page on their website. The device is no longer up for sale, and from February 28, it will no longer have access to Humane’s servers. Simultaneously, all customer data, including personally identifiable information (PII), will be permanently erased from their servers.
For customers who have ordered the device but haven’t completed the onboarding process, their orders will be automatically canceled and fully refunded. However, for customers who purchased the device more than 90 days ago, refunds will not be available. As per Humane’s refund policy, only customers still within the 90-day return window from their original shipment date are eligible for refunds.
The discontinuation of the AI Pin is undoubtedly a setback for early adopters who had high hopes for the device. Many had hoped that Humane would continue to develop and improve the device or even release a new version. However, it is commendable that Humane attempted to innovate – it’s just unfortunate that the device was prematurely launched.
