Only Raised the Status of Smartphones... The Humiliation of AI Pin as a 'Smartphone Alternative'

New IT Device to Replace Smartphone, Was It Premature?
"The More You Use It, the More It Shows the Smartphone's Usefulness"

"I think this product shows why smartphones are OP (Overpowered). The more I use it, the more useful my phone feels."

AI Pin by 'Humane,' founded by former Apple employees [Image source=Humane]

This is the evaluation of the AI Pin by 'MKBHD,' a global IT product reviewer with 18 million YouTube followers. The AI Pin is a pin-shaped electronic device manufactured by the smart device startup 'Humane,' a company launched with the ambition to design a form factor suitable for the AI era following smartphones. However, despite receiving industry spotlight for its unique design, the AI Pin has been met with harsh criticism since its release.

The Future Form Factor Beyond Smartphones? ... AI Pin Made by Former Apple Employees

A laser projector can also project images onto the palm.
[Image source=Hyumein]

The AI Pin is a wearable electronic device. Its display size is slightly larger than that of watches, and it has a pin on the back allowing it to be freely attached to clothing. This product was developed by 'Humane,' founded by former Apple design and software staff, with the goal of becoming the next-generation form factor in the digital age following smartphones.

The product’s biggest features are its control method and laser projector. Instead of touch, the device is operated by hand gestures, and the projector emits from the display to create a large screen on walls or palms. It is a function aimed squarely at the 'AI assistant era.' In March last year, it also secured $100 million (about 138 billion KRW) in investment from Sam Altman, OpenAI founder, among others.

"In the End, You End Up Using Your Smartphone" ? An Unexpected Flaw

Given the dazzling spotlight at launch, the AI Pin attracted significant attention. Its price is also not cheap at $699 (about 960,000 KRW). However, perhaps due to overly high expectations, reviewers who tried the AI Pin in advance have been pouring out unexpected harsh criticism.

MKBHD pointed out the biggest flaw of the AI Pin as "there is not much difference from current-generation smartphones, but the performance is worse." This is also an unavoidable issue due to the AI Pin’s form factor size. The performance of electronic devices still depends on batteries, processors, built-in sensors, etc. The larger the form factor, the more powerful components can be installed, so it is natural that the AI Pin’s performance is lacking.

Reviewer using AI pin. [Image source=YouTube capture]

However, the AI Pin is also said to have many shortcomings on the software (SW) side. MKBHD pointed out, "There is no Uber Access, no Spotify, and no WhatsApp (a messenger SNS used in Western countries)." In other words, the application (app) ecosystem itself is generally lacking. He said, "I cannot do any daily life tasks with this product," and cited "ultimately ending up using the phone again" as a fundamental problem.

"Don’t Sell Products Based Only on Promises for the Future"

Why did Humane’s first product receive low ratings among reviewers? Creating something new beyond familiar existing products is extremely difficult. It means rebuilding everything from the ground up, from component supply chains to operating software.

Some reviewers pointed out that Humane should have focused on 'completeness' rather than 'ambition.' MKBHD advised, "Don’t become a company that sells products based only on promises of future updates."

In the future, as AI chatbots and related app ecosystems develop further, the AI Pin might hold the potential to replace smartphones. Since AI assistants will coordinate all schedules and tasks without the need to operate smartphones manually.

However, such a 'concept' is just an imaginary story that cannot be realized with current technology, and the AI Pin is a real product that must satisfy consumers right now. To win consumers’ hearts with the first product, it is pointed out that instead of taking risks with experimental technology, Humane should have invested in stable performance and convenience, even if less innovative.