1 HN user recommended this commentary1 month2024–2025score 1.5
Years with an HN recommendation, 2007–2026
Referenced as the definitive review explaining why the AI Pin failed.
Marques Brownlee reviews the Humane AI Pin and calls it the worst product he has reviewed, arguing almost no one should buy it. He explains why smartphones still beat it as a daily carry device.
“Essential viewing: Review of the Ai Pin” (HN, 2025)
1 strong recommendations · 6 citations · Commentary · news from the time
Interesting they thought they could disrupt phones: devices with almost 20 years of iterative improvements, extremely mature app stores, tons of functionality, fast ubiquitous internet, etc. You couldn't even connect the Ai Pin to your phone ?! Lock-in makes sense but it was a very risky bet. Essential viewing: Review of the Ai Pin - The Worst Product I've Ever Reviewed... For Now ( [this video] )
They have got really positive (relatively) reviews though [this video] "The Worst Product I've Ever Reviewed... For Now" at least a different league then the other scams listed.
Marques Brownlee recently published a video about the Humane AI Pin (device) [1] and I noticed this book in some of the device shots, found it curious and had (incorrectly it seems) assumed it was some kind of internal Google swag. Well played Mr. da Maia :) 1 [this video]
Brownlee's AI Pin review where the book appears on screen
How does what you said jive with, for example, his review of the Humane AI Pin¹, where he reviewed the product so negatively that he received flak on social media for being too harsh and careless with his influence. Another video of his, a review of the Fisker Ocean², lead to accusations that he killed the company behind the car due to the negative review. ¹ MKBHD: The Worst Product I've Ever Reviewed... For Now [this video] ² Auto Focus: This is the Worst Car I've Ever Reviewed [link] ³ MKBHD: Do Bad Reviews Kill Companies? [link]
Brownlee's harsh AI Pin review as example of influence
Thinking about this MVP, I wonder if in another 50 years people will describe products like the AI pin that MKBHD panned in the same way. EDIT: "The Worst Product I've Ever Reviewed... For Now" [this video]
Marques meant that, they are very good at the broad category of a daily carry consumer device [0]. If you are competing against them, they are heavily favored to win. If you want to make a consumer device, as all these ai hardware companies like humane professed, you are competing against smartphones which have kinda evolved like a desire path, smooshing together all the previous personal electronics in a general form factor. [0] [this video] if it’s helpful context, he has similar conclusions in his rabbit r1 review. I am quoting him because I think he’s saying it more clearly than the same vibe I get, that these devices are borne out of a company objective to own a platform and not a user need that necessitated a new platform.
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