The Story of the Infamous Humane Ai Pin is Coming to an End
HP will acquire several assets from Humane, including more than 300 patents and patent applications, as part of a $116 million deal expected to close at the end of the month. The acquisition includes the founders of Humane, Imran Chaudhri and Bethany Bongiorno, and the company’s Cosmos operating system.
The Rise and Fall of Humane
Humane was once Silicon Valley’s "next big thing" after unveiling its AI wearable, equipped with a ChatGPT-powered assistant and a laser-projected display, in 2023. The device promised to replace smartphones, but reviews were overwhelmingly negative, citing issues such as overheating, hallucinations, and limited features.
The Demise of the Humane Ai Pin
As a result, HP does not plan to do much with the Ai Pin hardware, and sales have effectively stopped. Humane will issue refunds to anyone who purchased a Pin after November 15, 2024, and existing Pins will cease to function after February 28. Almost every core feature will stop working, but users will still be able to check their battery level. Humane will also delete user data, so it is recommended that users sync and download their data.
The Future of AI at HP
HP plans to integrate Humane’s Cosmos AI into its products to "unlock new levels of functionality for our customers and deliver on the promises of AI." The company will also create an innovation lab called HP IQ, which will build an ecosystem of smart features throughout its product line.
Apple Improves the Vision Pro’s Guest Mode
Apple has announced that its Vision Pro headset will receive a new guest mode as part of its visionOS 2.4 update, which is expected to roll out in April. The update will allow guests to wear the headset without the need for the owner to wear it first, and owners will receive a notification on their iPhone or iPad to allow access. The update will also feature a new app, Spatial Gallery, which will showcase spatial videos, photos, and panoramas designed for viewing on the headset.
Other Minor Features in visionOS 2.4
The update will also include several minor features, including the ability for owners to choose which apps guests can access, and the ability for guests to save their eye and hand setup for up to 30 days. The update will also add new content to the Spatial Gallery, including behind-the-scenes moments from Apple Originals.
Eero Debuts Cheaper Wi-Fi 7 Mesh Routers
Eero has announced new Wi-Fi 7 mesh routers, the Eero 7 and Eero Pro 7, which will start shipping on February 26. The Eero 7 is a dual-band router that promises wireless speeds up to 1.8 Gbps and two 2.5 Gbps Ethernet ports on each router. The Eero Pro 7 is a tri-band router that offers faster speeds and more features, including support for the 6-GHz band.
Conclusion
The acquisition of Humane’s assets by HP marks the end of an era for the company, which was once touted as the next big thing in AI. The demise of the Humane Ai Pin is a cautionary tale about the importance of delivering on promises and meeting customer expectations. On the other hand, Apple’s updates to its Vision Pro headset and Eero’s new Wi-Fi 7 mesh routers showcase the company’s commitment to innovation and customer satisfaction.
FAQs
Q: What is happening to the Humane Ai Pin?
A: HP will not do much with the Ai Pin hardware, and sales have effectively stopped. Existing Pins will cease to function after February 28.
Q: What is Apple’s visionOS 2.4 update?
A: The update will introduce a new guest mode for the Vision Pro headset, allowing guests to wear the headset without the need for the owner to wear it first. The update will also feature a new app, Spatial Gallery, and several minor features.
Q: When will Eero’s new Wi-Fi 7 mesh routers be available?
A: The Eero 7 and Eero Pro 7 will start shipping on February 26.
