The highly anticipated Humane Ai Pin, marketed as a smartphone alternative, has faced its demise as T-Mobile decided to discontinue providing data and voice connection services for the device. Priced at $699, the Ai Pin required users to subscribe to T-Mobile for phone number and data coverage at an additional charge of $24 per month. Equipped with a laser projector, the device utilized the user's palm as a display for interacting with an Ai chatbot.
Despite initial hype, the Ai Pin failed to gain traction in the market and has been officially shut down following HP's acquisition of Humane's Ai technology and team for $116 million. The shutdown means the device will no longer have access to essential services and features, rendering it obsolete. Humane's intellectual property and software have been acquired by HP, signaling the end of the Ai Pin era.
As the tech industry continues to search for groundbreaking innovations, the failure of the Humane Ai Pin highlights the challenges of surpassing the dominance of smartphones. While AR smart glasses are often touted as potential successors, the reality is that significant advancements are still needed before such a transition can occur. For Ai Pin users, the shutdown will take effect on February 28th, marking the end of an era for the beleaguered device.
"This investment will rapidly accelerate our ability to develop a new generation of devices that seamlessly orchestrate AI requests both locally and in the cloud. Humane’s AI platform Cosmos, backed by an incredible group of engineers, will help us create an intelligent ecosystem across all HP devices from AI PCs to smart printers and connected conference rooms. This will unlock new levels of functionality for our customers and deliver on the promises of AI."-Tuan Tran, President of Technology and Innovation, HP
Owners of the Ai Pin are advised to download any stored data before the shutdown, as the device will no longer be operational once the connection to Humane's servers is terminated. Additionally, users awaiting the recall of the original charging case will receive a refund for the allocated amount after February 28, 2025.
Despite its downfall, the Ai Pin leaves behind a legacy of innovation and experimentation in the tech industry. While some may view it as a failure, the device's journey sheds light on the challenges and opportunities in the quest for technological advancement.
