Humane: Hype product from Apple couple is mega-flop | Life & Knowledge
Expectations were high: former high-ranking Apple employees launched a cyber brooch in April that was intended to do nothing less than abolish the smartphone.
The Badge from Humane works with artificial intelligence (AI), can project a controllable display onto the user's hand. Otherwise, communication with the so-called “AI Pin” works mainly via voice – similar to Alexa & Co.
The renowned “Time” magazine had already prematurely named the cyber brooch one of “the best inventions of 2023” last year. At that time, there were only advertising videos, and two owners of the magazine had already invested in the company.
► Now, after its market launch, the “AI Pin” (starting at $699) is turning into a mega-flop! As the tech portal “The Verge” reported, the worst case scenario occurred in the first few months after the market launch: Between May and August, more “AI Pins” were returned by customers than were purchased.
Humane’s AI pin flopped after its recent market launch
The numbers are disastrous: Today, only around 7,000 devices are said to be in customers' hands, the portal reports, citing an anonymous insider. Humane had actually hoped to deliver around 100,000 devices in the first year.
A company spokesperson told The Verge that there were inaccuracies in the disclosure report, but he did not provide any further details.
After Humane put the “AI Pin” on sale, it received devastating reviews. Marques Brownlee (30), one of the world's biggest tech YouTubers, called it the worst product he had ever tested. And “The Verge” also came to the conclusion that the device “simply doesn't work.”
The screen is projected onto the palm of the hand with the “AI Pin”
Are the Humane bosses selling their company?
The mega start-up is headed by a married couple: Imran Chaudhri and his wife Bethany Bongiorno. The two designers met at Apple He was under contract with the technology giant for 21 years – an eternity in Silicon Valley. Bongiorno also worked there for a long eight years.
HE is responsible for numerous Apple patents in the past, including developing the iPhone home screen and the iconic unlocking function of the first iPhones, “Slide to unlock”.
This top line-up at the top also caused a huge hype among technology fans in the run-up to the market launch. But Meanwhile, the Humane bosses are said to be considering selling their companyBloomberg reported in May. There were also changes in management.