In today’s world of endless tech promises, it’s easy to get swept up in the excitement. Every year, there’s a new gadget that will supposedly revolutionize our lives—giving us more freedom, connection, or efficiency. And each time, there’s a quiet skepticism lurking behind all the glittering keynotes. How often does that revolution really arrive?
The Humane AI Pin was one of those next-big-things. Touted as the future of wearable tech, the $699 device was marketed as a minimalist solution to the smartphone obsession. This little square would clip onto your shirt and provide a “second brain,” powered by advanced AI models, to handle everything from phone calls to text messages. It promised to free us from the screens we spend so much of our day staring at, and instead, allow us to interact with technology seamlessly, using only our voice and a tiny projector that displayed information directly onto our palm.
When Humane announced the device, I was intrigued. I preordered it almost immediately, excited to test the limits of this ambitious vision. After months of anticipation, my AI Pin finally arrived. I clipped it on, ready to prove the skeptics wrong. But after a week of testing, it became clear that while the dream was bold, the reality was something else entirely. Reluctantly, I boxed it up and sent it back.
The Challenges of a Screenless World
The core idea behind the AI Pin sounds great: a life unshackled from the constant pull of a smartphone screen. Instead of pulling out your device to check the time, send a message, or look up a piece of information, you simply speak to the Pin. The AI assistant—using its built-in camera and cellular connection—handles everything on the go. At least, that’s the theory.
Unfortunately, in practice, the experience is far from smooth. One of the most touted features, the mini projector that displays information onto your palm, feels like a gimmick at best. In ideal conditions—indoors, with dim lighting—you might catch a readable projection. But outdoors, or in any kind of bright setting, the display becomes a faint blur that’s barely legible. As Engadget’s Cherlynn Low pointed out, every time I demonstrated the device to friends, the conversation quickly turned into a breakdown of its many flaws.
The reliance on voice commands also created more problems than it solved. Wired’s Julian Chokkattu praised the hands-free nature of the Pin, but even he noted that the slow response time and inconsistent accuracy made it more frustrating than convenient. Asking the Pin to perform simple tasks often led to confusion, repetition, and long pauses where you wondered if it even heard you. For a device that’s supposed to be a digital assistant, it felt like I spent more time assisting the Pin than it did helping me.
Pricey Tech with Limited Functionality
One of the most glaring issues is the cost. At $699, plus an additional $24 a month for the cellular plan, Humane clearly positions the AI Pin as a premium product. But the experience simply doesn’t match the price tag. The Pin doesn’t use your existing phone number, meaning you’re forced to juggle a second number for your calls and texts. It’s an odd and frustrating limitation, particularly for a device that’s supposed to simplify your life.
Dare Obasanjo’s review on Medium criticized Humane for not understanding why people might want to step away from their smartphones in the first place. The Pin isn’t offering real freedom from tech—it’s adding yet another layer of complexity without solving the core problem. Most of us rely on our phones because they’re convenient, multi-functional devices. The AI Pin, despite its lofty promises, feels more like a novelty that’s still in beta, rather than a revolutionary tool.
When my own device arrived, I wanted badly to believe it would be different. But by day five, the frustrations outweighed any novelty. The delayed responses, the mishandled voice commands, and the underwhelming projection system turned what should have been a seamless experience into a chore. It felt more like a tech experiment than something truly ready for daily use.
A Bright Spot in Customer Care
Despite the product’s shortcomings, Humane seems to be getting its customer service act together. When I reached out to return the device, I was pleasantly surprised. Within minutes, I received a response from a senior support specialist who went above and beyond to ensure I had the smoothest experience possible. He was patient, understanding, and did his best to mitigate my disappointment. The return process itself was seamless—though I’m still waiting for the refund to hit my account.
It’s a small silver lining in an otherwise disappointing experience. Great customer service can’t make up for a product that simply doesn’t deliver, but it was refreshing to see a company that clearly cares about getting that part right.
The Future, Not Quite Here Yet
There’s something to admire about Humane’s ambition. The idea of a screenless, AI-driven future, where our devices disappear into the background of our lives, is compelling. But what the AI Pin demonstrates is that we’re not quite there yet. Rather than a breakthrough device, we’ve been handed a half-finished prototype—an interesting concept that still needs a lot of work.
The Humane AI Pin may one day serve as a cautionary tale about how tricky it can be to solve the problems of our over-reliance on technology. Perhaps the answer isn’t to invent more tech, but to change how we interact with what we already have. For now, though, I’ll be sticking with my smartphone—waiting, as always, for the next big thing to actually deliver.
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