A quick tour and then it's gone. The AI Pin is already bowing out, just one year after its arrival on the market. Unveiled at the end of 2023 by the start-up Humane, the AI gadget had generated a certain amount of excitement to the point of raising millions of dollars from investors such as Microsoft and Sam Altman (CEO of OpenAI). Leading names in Silicon Valley had shown interest in the small device launched by a company founded by former Apple employees, which inevitably contributed to: keep a close eye on Humane. In the midst of the AI boom, the connected badge promises a mini-revolution by replacing the essential smartphone in many tasks.
AI had no argument to make us forget the smartphone
Unfortunately for the start-up, nothing really went as planned. Present at MWC 2024, the AI Pin did not really convince us of its ability to replace a smartphone and testers, like buyers, quickly became disillusioned. The small device, far from keeping its promises, accumulates defects, including serious operating problems that hinder its use. Overheating, slowness in responding to requests, nothing works for the AI Pin and Humane's promises of improvements are not enough. Disaster was close for a product billed at a high price ($699) with a mandatory subscription to $24 per month.
Over the summer, we reported that the AI gadget was a flop and that feedback had even outpaced sales. To make matters worse, Humane also had to recall charging cases due to a risk of overheating and fire. After less than a year on the market, Humane has finally stopped the costs by formalizing its acquisition by HP for $116 million. The American firm is mainly recovering the CosmOS platform – which Humane praised in December – and a portfolio of more than 300 patents and patent applications. HP will also have to hire some of Humane's teams, which allows the start-up to save the furniture after its debacle and avoid going out of business.
HP thinks about AI with this acquisition
For its part, HP is offering itself a strategic acquisition to strengthen its artificial intelligence capabilities. It offers the company a base to develop in a field that is shaking up its business. HP aims to create an intelligent ecosystem connecting all its devices, from PCs to printers to conference rooms. AI will play a central role in this vision, enabling seamless orchestration of tasks and better integration between different devices.
The American giant has already made announcements in this direction, unveiling AI-enhanced printing functions for its printers. At CES 2025, HP also multiplied the novelties by presenting laptops equipped with a good dose of artificial intelligence.
0 Comments