In a stunning turn of events, tech startup Humane has announced that its much-hyped AI Pin wearable device will cease functioning on February 28, following the company's $116 million acquisition by HP.
The AI Pin, launched in April 2024 with a hefty $700 price tag, was marketed as a revolutionary smartphone replacement that could handle tasks like answering questions, real-time translation, and music playback through voice commands and simple taps.
However, the device faced widespread criticism from reviewers who found it unreliable and redundant compared to existing smartphones. Sales plummeted so dramatically that by August 2024, returns were outpacing new purchases, forcing Humane to slash the price to $400 in October.
Following HP's acquisition announcement on February 18, Humane immediately halted all AI Pin sales. The company revealed that existing devices will retain only basic functionality after February 28, limited to features like checking battery levels - essentially rendering the sophisticated AI companion into an expensive paperweight.
While customers who purchased the device within the last 90 days are eligible for refunds, early adopters who kept their units are left without compensation. In their announcement, Humane acknowledged their users' support but cited "shifted business priorities" as the reason for discontinuing the consumer product.
This abrupt end to the AI Pin experiment serves as a cautionary tale in the fast-moving tech industry, where ambitious promises don't always translate into practical success. The device's brief lifespan and unceremonious demise highlight the risks early adopters face when investing in unproven technology.