The American start-up Humane, founded by two former Apple engineers, is taking advantage of MWC 2024 in Barcelona to demo its famous AI Pin, an intelligent badge which aims to replace traditional smartphones.
The concept of the AI Pin is audacious: getting rid of the smartphone while retaining most of its functionalities thanks to the integration of the GPT-4 artificial intelligence model. With its discreet design and 5G connectivity, the AI Pin attaches to clothing using a magnet and provides quick access to a multitude of services by voice command.
When your hand becomes a projection support
We are very far here from the concept of a smartphone without applications presented at the show by the German operator Deutsche Telekom, and which raises a number of questions about its viability. The AI Pin demonstrations on the Qualcomm stand are also perfectly established. It must be admitted that the device, which works like a voice assistant, is particularly responsive. We particularly note the real-time translation, the ease of use with simple gestures, but also the possibility of projecting instant photos, the weather or even the device menu in the palm of the hand. The speaker integrated into the device, of good quality, proved sufficiently powerful for the live translation – which also works into French – to be audible even in the hubbub of the MWC; If necessary, it is possible to connect headphones to the device, for greater discretion.
The question of personal data
One of the big questions raised by the AI Pin is that of privacy and security. With its integrated 13 Mpx camera and its ability to recognize its environment (it is capable of describing the elements around it, individuals included), the AI Pin can be worrying, particularly in terms of consent and the protection of personal data. On the subject, Humane, who wants to be reassuring, indicates that the device does not record constantly and that it is necessary to press the touchpad in order to activate it. A light indicates its activity.
Other points remain unclear. If it can absolutely send messages or make calls thanks to its eSIM compatibility, the autonomy of the AI Pin remains quite vague and the concept is presented more as an occasional alternative to the smartphone. Despite the varied uses it allows, the AI Pin cannot, as it stands, completely replace it: even if Humane ensures that a kit dedicated to developers allows interested parties to port their applications to the device, we imagine poorly read long emails in the palm of your hand, with a display limited to green monochrome. A complement to mobile that still has a cost: count on $700 for purchase, and $24 per month of subscription to benefit from all the associated services.
If its product is currently only available in the United States, Humane does not hide its ambition to conquer Europe in the near future. This is also what justifies its presence at the Mobile World Congress: for the brand it is about finding partners who will allow it to market its device on the Old Continent.