The Rabbit R1, a pocket-sized AI virtual assistant device, runs Android under the hood and is powered by a single app, it says Android Authority. Apparently the publication managed to install the R1 APK on a Pixel 6a and have it run as if it were the $199 gadget, with the bunny head wiggling on the screen and all. If you already own a phone and aren’t particularly interested in specialized devices or aren’t interested in becoming an early adopter, you probably didn’t think it made sense to get the R1 (or its competitor, the Humane AI Pin) at all . However, this information could make you question the purpose of the device even more. However, Rabbit CEO Jesse Lyu denied that the company’s product could have simply been released as an Android app.
In a statement sent to Android Authority, Lyu said, “Rabbit R1 is not an Android app.” He added that the company is aware that there are “unofficial app/website emulators for Rabbit OS” and will discourage their use. “We understand people’s passion to get a taste of our AI and LAM rather than waiting for their R1 to arrive,” he continued. “But to clear up any misunderstandings and set the record straight, Rabbit OS and LAM run in the cloud with very tailored AOSP and lower-level firmware modifications, so a local bootleg APK is not possible without the right OS and cloud endpoints Access to our service is tailored to r1 and we do not support third-party clients. Malicious actors have been known to release fake apps that steal your data and users avoid these fake Rabbit OS apps.”
Android Authority admitted that Spotify integration and other features likely wouldn’t work with the R1 installed on a phone because it was designed to run on the company’s special firmware. However, a follow-up story was promised that delves deeper into the topic.
The R1 has the ability to book you an Uber, find titles of songs that have stuck in your mind, or search for recipes that incorporate ingredients you have in your fridge, among other things a virtual assistant can do or an AI chatbot can do this. When Rabbit CEO Jesse Lyu introduced the R1 at CES 2024, he demonstrated how it can be trained for a variety of other tasks by teaching it to generate an image using Midjourney. Engadget deputy editor Cherlynn Low found it more entertaining and accessible than the $700 Human AI pin, but remains skeptical overall about the usefulness of AI devices. It may be too early to tell whether they have the potential to become an essential product for your everyday life or the high-tech equivalent of disposable kitchen appliances. We’re already in the middle of testing the R1 and will soon publish a review to help you decide whether the product category is worth giving a chance.