Lyu promises that, of course, there is much more on the way. We are told that in summer we can expect an alarm clock, calendar, contacts, GPS, memory recall, trip planning and other features. Currently, Amazon Music and Apple Music integrations are in development, and down the road we should see more integrations from third-party services, including Airbnb, Lyft, and OpenTable.
You might be wondering, “Wait a minute, that just sounds like a phone,” and you… wouldn’t be wrong.
As we saw with the clunky and limited Humane Ai Pin, a smartphone can do all of these tasks better, faster, and with richer interactions. This is where you need to take a close look at Rabbit’s overall vision.
The idea is to speak and then calculate. No apps required – the computer will just understand. We’re still a long way from that, but at the launch event, Rabbit introduced a wearable device that would understand what you’re pointing out.
Photo: Julian Chokkattu
Lyu suggested that the wearable could understand if you point at a Nest thermostat and ask to lower the temperature without having to say the words “Nest” or “thermostat.” However, the image of the supposedly all-seeing wearable was blurry, so we don’t have much information to go into in more detail.
Lyu mentioned generative user interfaces, where a user could have an interface of their choice – buttons on a screen placed where desired and at the perfect display size – and then claimed that Rabbit was working on an AI-native desktop operating system called Rabbit OS. Again, we don’t have many details, but my thoughts immediately went to Theo Her Install OS1 on your PC.
An operating system that focuses on a personal voice assistant. What could go wrong?
The Rabbit R1 retails for $199 and is available now. However, the units are delivered in batches. If you place an order currently, you will receive a unit in June.
Lyu won’t stop repeating that this device – unlike the Humane Ai Pin – doesn’t have a subscription, but it’s worth noting that it requires you to purchase your own monthly data plan and insert the SIM card into the 4G-ready R1. Useful, if you don’t have WiFi (unless you want to connect it to your phone).
The company says it sold 100,000 units in the first quarter of 2024. I picked up my device at the event and have now unpacked it. My first impression is that it’s undeniably a nice piece of technology, but I’ll gather more thoughts in a review after I’ve put it through its paces.
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