Lyu promises that there is much more on the way, of course. We are told to expect, in summer, an alarm clock, calendar, contacts, GPS, memory recall, trip planning and other functions. Amazon Music and Apple Music integrations are currently 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 sounds like a phone,” and… you wouldn’t be wrong.
As we’ve seen with the clunky and limited Humane Ai Pin, a smartphone can perform all of these tasks better, faster, and with richer interactions. This is where you need to start looking closely at Rabbit’s overall vision.
The idea is to talk and then calculate. No apps needed – the computer will simply understand it. We’re a long way from that, but at the launch event, Rabbit showed off a wearable device that would understand what you’re pointing out.
Photography: Julian Chokkattu
Lyu suggested that the wearable device could understand that you point to 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 on.
Lyu mentioned generative user interfaces, where a user could have an interface of their own choosing (buttons on a screen placed where they want them and at the perfect display size) and then stated that Rabbit is working on native AI. desktop operating system called Rabbit OS. Again, we don’t have many details, but my mind immediately went to teo in His installing OS1 on your PC.
An operating system that puts the personal voice assistant front and center. What can go wrong?
The Rabbit R1 sells for $199 and is available for purchase now, but units ship in batches and currently if you place an order you will receive one unit in June.
Lyu keeps repeating that this device is subscription-free, unlike the Humane Ai Pin, but it’s worth noting that you need to purchase your own monthly data plan and insert the SIM card into the 4G-enabled R1 to make it useful when you’re away from Wi-Fi (unless you plan to connect it to your phone).
The company says it sold 100,000 units in the first quarter of 2024. I picked up my unit at the event and have already unpacked it. My first impressions are that it’s certainly a nice piece of technology, but I’ll have more thoughts lined up in a review after I’ve put it through its paces.
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