After a successful launch at CES, Rabbit is letting journalists try out R1. R1 is a small orange gadget with an AI-powered voice interface. This comes just weeks after the launch of the Humane Ai Pin, which is also being touted as a new kind of mobile device centered around AI.
I'm still waiting for a detailed review (rather than my first hands-on) of the R1, but there are some pretty clear differences between the two devices.
Most notably, the Ai Pin doesn't have a screen, relying instead on an audio interface and a projector, while the R1 has a 2.88-inch screen (though it can't be used for purposes other than entering WiFi passwords). (intended for use in). AI Pin costs $699 with a $24 monthly subscription, while R1 is only $199. According to TechCrunch's Brian Heater, both demonstrate the value of good industrial design.
Both Ai Pin (which had some really scathing reviews) and R1 make a perfectly convincing case that it's time to replace your smartphone, or that AI chatbots are the best way to get information from the internet. I don't think there is. But at least it's very interesting to see the hardware industry feeling wide open again. Hit play and let us know if you've tried and played either R1 or Ai Pin.