Knowledge Nov 30, 2023 The Wearable Device 'Ai Pin,' Aiming to be a Substitute for Smartphones, Has Started Pre-Orders

 A startup called Humane, founded by a former Apple employee in San Francisco, announced the next-generation wearable device 'Ai Pin' as an alternative to smartphones on November 9th. General pre-orders started on November 16th.

 Ai Pin is a small wearable device that can be attached to the chest area of clothing such as shirts and blouses using magnets. It is equipped with a camera and Qualcomm chip, allowing for features such as making calls, creating text, taking photos, and interacting with a virtual assistant based on OpenAI. Ai Pin does not have a screen like a smartphone; instead, it is operated through voice commands, touchpad, and gestures. Additionally, it adopts a laser ink display, enabling the projection of text and images onto the user’s palm of the hand using lasers.

 Humane is a startup founded by a couple who were former Apple employees involved in the development of the iPhone. The company takes a different approach from Apple and Meta in the AR/VR headset space, offering a groundbreaking UI/UX using artificial intelligence. Humane has raised a total of $240 million in funding from notable figures and companies, including Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff, Microsoft, LG, Volvo, Qualcomm, and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman.

 The attention from the tech community towards AI Pin has been extremely high, with expectations building even before its release. However, at the recent launch event, there was some skepticism as detailed information about specific features and functions remained unclear. The device is priced at $699, and in addition to that, a monthly subscription fee of $24 is required. Currently, it is available for sale only in the United States, with an expected sales volume of 100,000 units in the first year. Given the ambitious pricing, further attention is now focused on its future sales performance."

 Humane aims to integrate AI into everyday life through AI Pin, enhancing human capabilities. The company also believes in the potential for this device to eventually replace smartphones. As AI services like ChatGPT gain attention, it is anticipated that a multitude of hardware incorporating AI services will emerge in the future. Ai Pin is reported to be a pioneer in this regard. By taking an advantage of living in the United States, I already placed an advance order for this device. The product is expected to be delivered in early 2024. Upon receiving the product, I am intending to thoroughly use it and write a detailed review.

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