The AI Pin: Is this the end of the smartphone era?....by Rachhpal Sahota
Cincinnati, USA: Humane, a startup in San Francisco's SoMa neighborhood, has quietly developed a groundbreaking device that could redefine our relationship with technology.
Their creation, the Ai Pin, is a compact, high-tech device designed to be fastened to clothing, much like a modern brooch. It's poised to challenge the ubiquitous presence of smartphones by offering a more integrated, less intrusive way of interacting with technology.
The Ai Pin stands out with its ability to take photos, send texts, and use a laser to project a visual interface onto a person's palm. It comes equipped with a virtual assistant as sharp as ChatGPT, ready to search the web and communicate at a moment's notice.
The device goes on sale on November 16 in the U.S., starting at $699, with a $24 monthly subscription for unlimited services through T-Mobile.
Humane revealed its functions, including web search and object identification, at a TED conference and a Paris Fashion Week runway show, showcasing its potential as both a functional tool and a fashion statement.
One of the Ai Pin's most notable features is its laser projection system, which turns the user's hand into an interactive screen. This feature, combined with a virtual assistant powered by AI technologies, including OpenAI's ChatGPT, positions the Ai Pin as a groundbreaking contextual computer.
The device's software capabilities and the mechanics of its laser projection system were among the details recently released by Humane, highlighting its innovative approach to personal technology.
The Ai Pin is part of a growing trend of wearable devices incorporating ChatGPT-like AI services. Despite the competition, Humane's CEO Bethany Bongiorno expresses confidence in Ai Pin's mass appeal, emphasizing its potential to connect with a global audience across different age groups and backgrounds.
With their extensive experience in hardware design and software engineering at Apple, Humane's founders set rigorous standards for the Ai Pin. It needed to be a standalone device with direct cell network connectivity, transparent about recording activities, and not reliant on wake words like conventional smart devices. The goal was to create an affordable, powerful computing tool that could be comfortably worn all day.
The startup has raised $230 million in funding, and its investors include significant figures like OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff.
The Ai Pin, with its aluminum housing, is designed to be noticeable yet functional. It attaches to clothing via a magnetic battery pack and weighs about 55 grams, nearly the weight of a tennis ball.
The device is controlled through taps, hand gestures, and voice commands. Its ultrawide camera, light and depth detectors, and laser projector are housed in a curved top, a design element ensuring optimal camera orientation. The Ai Pin runs on a customized version of Google's Android operating system, which should facilitate app development.
Humane's vision with the Ai Pin is not just about introducing a new gadget; it's about proposing a new paradigm in our daily interactions with technology. The Ai Pin's release invites us to consider a future where our dependence on smartphones is significantly reduced, and technology becomes more seamlessly integrated into our lives.
As Humane introduces this innovative device, it opens the door to a world where being connected doesn't necessarily mean being glued to a screen.
November 11, 2023
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Dr Rachhpal Sahota , USA Editor, Babushahi.com
rachhpalsahota@hotmail.com
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