‘We don’t do apps:’ Humane AI Pin creators on how it stands out from Apple | Technology News
In a recent CNBC interview, Imran Chaudhary and Bethany Bongiorno, the dynamic duo behind startup Humane, revealed that the defining factor setting them apart from giants like Apple is they “don’t do apps.”
“At its core, we believe AI will drive the next era of tech. To unlock its full potential, we had to reimagine everything from the ground up. We don’t do apps,” Bongiorno, who’s a former Apple designer herself, said.
She suggested that their AI-first approach eliminates the need for traditional apps. “There’s a burden with having to know that an app exists, downloading it, logging into your devices. AI allows all of that to disappear. The way the platform disappears is with a device called Cosmos. We do the heavy lifting. All you have to do is ask, and we’d find it for you,” she added.
The Humane AI Pin, a tiny wearable device pinned to your shirt, ditches the standard screen and instead projects info right onto your hand. It understands natural language, gestures, and touch inputs. Despite its petite size, it can handle a wide range of tasks on par with smartphones, with contextual awareness enhancing the experience.
When asked if wearing tech on your chest 24/7 raises privacy concerns, Chaudhary emphasised the Pin’s privacy-first engineering. “It’s privacy first. It’s not always recording but doing things on demand,” he clarified.
The Humane AI Pin is more than a screenless concept. While predominantly voice-controlled, it also responds to hand motions. Chaudhary demoed these capabilities, showcasing a nifty laser projection system. The device embraces multiple input methods, offering flexibility in how users engage.
Addressing worries about missing notifications without a screen, Bongiorno noted the built-in speaker and notification LED. The LED alerts users to messages while maintaining privacy.
“We have a personic speaker that creates a small bubble of sound that’s private for you. You can turn it up if you want to play music to have it be louder, but have it be very private just for you.”
Asked if the Pin’s always-on nature leaves it vulnerable to non-consensual recording, they stressed the “trust light” that indicates microphone/camera activity. This aims to provide transparency that interactions aren’t being secretly captured.
“We believe it should be more transparent than the devices you have today,” Chaudhary explained. “If it’s over-tampered with, the device will become immobilised, and you’ll need to get it serviced.”
Responding to comparisons with existing smartwatches, Chaudhary highlighted the Humane AI Pin’s unique selling point—its AI-driven functionality. He emphasised that the device’s AI OS distinguishes it from competitors, streamlining user interactions and minimising the need for traditional apps.
When asked about how profitable the AI Pin is, Chaudhary reiterated its price tag of $699, with a higher-end variant priced at $799. He also stated that the profit margins are decent: “We worked really hard to make sure we’ve got that going for us, and our margins are pretty decent on the software side or hardware side.”
In terms of AI, Chaudhary clarified that Humane has its own model, allowing flexibility for future developments. He stated, “Our platform allows any model to plug into it. It gives you choice ultimately, and we’ll be able to deploy to different markets.”