Humane’s AI Pin Discontinued as HP Acquires Startup for $116 Million
In a significant shift within the tech industry, Humane announced on Tuesday that it has officially sold most of its assets to HP for $116 million. This acquisition marks the end of an ambitious journey for the Bay Area startup, which has decided to discontinue sales of its AI Pins, priced at $499. Customers who already purchased the AI Pin will need to prepare for some unwanted news: their devices will become inoperable after February 28, 2025, at 12 p.m. PST.
Important Dates and Customer Advisory
After the cutoff date, the AI Pins will lose all connectivity to Humane’s servers, rendering them unable to make calls, send messages, or even perform AI tasks. Humane has urged anyone using the AI Pin to promptly transfer any important photos and data to an external device. This proactive move may seem inconvenient, but it’s vital for users looking to salvage their information.
Starting on February 28, the company will also dissolve its customer support team for the AI Pin. If you made a purchase within the last 90 days, there’s a silver lining: you’re eligible for a refund. However, those who acquired the device earlier won’t have the same luck.
The Rise and Fall of the AI Pin
Humane entered the scene with excitement back in April 2024, launching its AI Pin as a potential smartphone alternative. The company, founded by former Apple employees Bethany Bongiorno and Imran Chaudhri, successfully raised over $230 million to bring this innovative device to life. Yet, despite the initial hype, early reviews were disappointing, with some customers expressing frustration over its performance.
In a rather humbling turn of events, the rate at which customers were returning their AI Pins began to outstrip sales numbers by the summer of 2024. To add to the list of woes, Humane advised users to stop utilizing the device’s charging case due to battery fire concerns. They also slashed the device price from $699 to $499 in an effort to revive sales, but the strategy fell short.
What’s Next for HP?
As part of the acquisition, HP will be integrating Humane’s engineers and product managers into a new division called HP IQ. This lab is envisioned as an AI innovation hub aimed at enhancing the intelligent ecosystem across HP’s various products and services. HP will also be acquiring some of Humane’s underlying technology, including its CosmOS AI operating system. This technology has the potential to revolutionize how AI integrates into personal computers and printers, as it was previously showcased running on a range of devices from cars to smart speakers.
Interestingly, Humane had sought a much larger acquisition price, reportedly between $750 million and $1 billion back in May 2024. It seems the ambitious dreams of a startup can sometimes fall short in the competitive tech marketplace.
Conclusion
As the dust settles on this acquisition, it’s clear that the journey of Humane and its AI Pin has been a rollercoaster ride. From ambitious intentions to a swift end, the AI landscape remains dynamic and ever-changing.
The AI Buzz Hub team is excited to see where these breakthroughs take us. Want to stay in the loop on all things AI? Subscribe to our newsletter or share this article with your fellow enthusiasts.
