Latest news with #HumaneAIPin
Mint
10 hours ago
- Mint
Can AI earbuds replace Google Assistant or Alexa? Here's what they can (and can't) do
Do you really know about AI earbuds? Have you ever heard of them before? If not, they are real and far more useful than you might expect. Spend a few minutes with them and you will see that they are not some futuristic illusion. Yes, you can talk to them. These tiny devices are capable of holding real conversations, translating what you say and handling tasks without a screen or a wake word. They understand what you say and react accordingly. You can assign a task to them. Suppose you're walking to your office and suddenly realise you forgot to reply to the meeting invite. Even without taking out your phone, you can simply say, 'Reply yes to the 3PM meeting,' and a second later, it's done. No typing needed, no screen required. This is not a scene from the future. This is what these AI earbuds are capable of. But as these gadgets promise smarter, more natural interactions, the big question is: can they really take the place of voice assistants like Google Assistant or Alexa? Let's find out where they stand and where they still fall short. What can AI earbuds do today? These earbuds in simple terms are wireless earphones that are capable of doing much more than playing music. They understand what you say, talk back to you, take notes, and help you with your everyday tasks just by using your voice. You can do all this without needing to touch your phone or look at a screen. That's what makes these AI earbuds different from regular ones and a step closer to how we might use technology in the near future. For example, earbuds like Nothing Ear (a) with chat GPT integration or Humane AI Pin let you do more than just playing or pausing music. With them you can actually talk to them like an assistant. You can ask them to give you a summary of the meeting, translate a message to some other language, or give directions all through your own voice. These devices remember what you said, so you don't have to repeat yourself. Unlike older voice assistants, there is no need to start from the beginning. Places where these earbuds still lag behind Despite having the wow factors, these are not yet ready to control your smart home. If you try telling them to turn off your lights or start your washing machine, they won't be able to do it. Devices like Alexa or Google Assistant are still better at handling smart home commands because they are deeply connected to other gadgets in your home. Another issue which we can face with AI earbuds is that they mostly rely on the internet. So if your connection is weak or you are in an area where signals are poor then they might not work at all. On the other hand voice assistants like Google Assistant or Alexa can still perform some actions with a strong internet connection. Also, these AI earbuds don't always work smoothly with common apps . For example, if you ask them to play a song from the Spotify app, send a WhatsApp message, or set a timer on YouTube might not go as smoothly as it does with a regular voice assistant. They're getting better, but they are not quite there yet. So, can AI earbuds fully replace Google Assistant or Alexa? Not yet. But they're not trying to be the same. Instead of controlling your entire house, these earbuds focus on personal use. They help with tasks, answer questions, reply to messages, translate on the go, and take quick notes while you're travelling. For all these reasons, AI earbuds are a smart tool to have when you're on the move. For managing your home though, Google Assistant or Alexa still does the job better.
Hans India
14 hours ago
- Business
- Hans India
OpenAI Scrubs Jony Ive Deal from Web Amid Trademark Battle with Rival AI Firm
In a sudden turn of events, OpenAI has removed all public references to its much-discussed $6.5 billion acquisition of Jony Ive's AI hardware startup, IO Products. The move follows a legal challenge over trademark infringement by a competing firm with a similar name, stirring speculation and concern across the tech community. Over the weekend, social media users noticed the disappearance of promotional content and the official website linked to the IO Products deal. Both OpenAI and representatives for Jony Ive have since confirmed that the takedown was prompted by an ongoing trademark dispute with IYO Inc., a company also operating in the AI device space. According to Bloomberg, the case is now under judicial review. Responding to the controversy, a spokesperson for Ive called the legal complaint 'an utterly baseless complaint and we'll fight it vigorously.' The IO Products deal, officially unveiled in May, marked a pivotal shift for OpenAI—best known for its generative AI software. The partnership with Ive, the legendary former Apple designer behind iconic devices like the iPhone and iMac, aimed to bring OpenAI's first AI hardware device to market within a year. At the time of the announcement, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman had predicted that the company could sell up to 100 million units of the new hardware. He even suggested the acquisition could potentially boost OpenAI's valuation by $1 trillion, stating, 'This is the biggest thing we've ever done as a company.' In a now-deleted blog post, Altman and Ive had jointly written, 'It became clear that our ambitions to develop, engineer and manufacture a new family of products demanded an entirely new company.' OpenAI's financial commitment to the deal included $5 billion in equity, in addition to its existing 23% stake in IO from an earlier collaboration. IO Products was incorporated in Delaware in September 2023 and later registered in California in April 2025, according to public filings. Heading the new hardware division is OpenAI executive Peter Welinder, known for pioneering work in robotics and innovative product development. The team includes experts across design, hardware, software, and manufacturing, collaborating closely with OpenAI's San Francisco-based engineering and research teams. Altman and Ive's collaboration dates back to early 2023, though the public got its first hint of an 'AI-first device' in February 2025. While specific details remain under wraps, industry watchers speculate the product could rival the Humane AI Pin or Rabbit R1, or even explore futuristic formats like smart glasses, in-car systems, or AI-integrated robots. Reflecting on the collaboration, Ive shared, 'I have a growing sense that everything I have learned over the last 30 years has led me to this moment. I am so grateful for the opportunity to be part of such an important collaboration.' Altman added his admiration for Ive's approach, saying, 'AI is an incredible technology, but great tools require work at the intersection of technology, design, and understanding people and the world. No one can do this like Jony and his team; the amount of care they put into every aspect of the process is extraordinary.' As legal proceedings continue, OpenAI's ambitious foray into hardware hangs in the balance, with stakeholders closely watching how the trademark challenge might affect the future of this high-stakes collaboration.
Tatler Asia
23-05-2025
- Business
- Tatler Asia
Jony Ive and Sam Altman are about to give us 'the coolest piece of technology the world has ever seen'
Learning from the past Attempts at AI-specific hardware have had a rocky start. The Humane AI Pin, a screenless wearable device launched in 2023, promised hands-free access to an AI assistant. However, it suffered from short battery life, overheating and sluggish performance tied to its cloud-based processing—ultimately falling short of expectations. The Rabbit R1, released in 2024, fared no better. Designed as a pocket-sized AI assistant with a physical scroll wheel and screen, it drew criticism for its inaccurate AI responses and inconsistent user interface. Above Rabbit Inc. CEO Jessie Lyu presenting the Rabbit R1 AI device (Photo: Rabbit Inc.) As an AI company first, OpenAI can learn from these failures and be the first to bring its products to the market using custom-designed hardware. With a world-class design team and firsthand expertise in AI software, the company is well-positioned to bridge the gap between sleek hardware and powerful intelligence. Furthermore, Ive's legacy of refining existing concepts—like turning the MP3 player into the iPod or the touchscreen phone into the iPhone—demonstrates his talent for breaking boundaries. Moreover, OpenAI has the potential to challenge Apple and Google in creating tightly integrated hardware-software ecosystems. Just as Google uses its Pixel phones to showcase Android's capabilities, OpenAI could do the same for its own models with dedicated hardware. Above Ray-Ban Meta glasses can access Meta AI's live translate and search functions when connected to a smartphone with the Meta AI app (Photo: Meta) Smart glasses and visual computing devices represent another promising area. Meta, for example, has teamed up with Ray-Ban to develop glasses that integrate real-time translation and AI-powered search. OpenAI could similarly redefine how AI is embedded in everyday experiences—especially if it controls both the interface and the intelligence behind it. With AI capabilities evolving rapidly, OpenAI's in-house hardware team may prove crucial in ensuring its next breakthroughs are matched by equally advanced, intuitive physical forms.
Hans India
23-05-2025
- Business
- Hans India
OpenAI Confirms Compact AI Device Designed by Jony Ive, Mass Production Set for 2027
In a bold leap from software to hardware, OpenAI has officially confirmed its plans to launch its first-ever AI device — a screen less, iPod Shuffle-sized wearable — by 2027. Designed in collaboration with renowned former Apple designer Jony Ive, this compact device aims to redefine how we interact with artificial intelligence in our daily lives. Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, confirmed the project in an announcement earlier this week. While speculation had been swirling for months, the confirmation now sheds light on the company's broader ambitions. 'It became clear that our ambitions to develop, engineer and manufacture a new family of products demanded an entirely new company,' Altman and Ive shared in a joint blog post following the announcement of OpenAI's $6.5 billion acquisition of Ive's design firm, LoveFrom IO. My industry research indicates the following regarding the new AI hardware device from Jony Ive's collaboration with OpenAI: 1. Mass production is expected to start in 2027. 2. Assembly and shipping will occur outside China to reduce geopolitical risks, with Vietnam currently the… Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has offered some early insights into the project, suggesting that the device will be compact and lightweight — slightly larger than the Humane AIPin — and heavily inspired by the minimalist design language of the classic iPod Shuffle. 'It will have cameras and microphones for environmental detection, with no display functionality,' Kuo stated in a post on X (formerlyTwitter). The absence of a screen sets it apart from other AI devices, signaling a shift toward more ambient, always-on interaction. The wearable will rely on its on board cameras and microphones to perceive the world around it, with potential for it to be worn like a pendant. The device will connect wirelessly to smart phones or computers to utilize their processing and display features, allowing for seamless integration with existing technology ecosystems. Interestingly, OpenAI plans to sidestep geopolitical tensions by choosing Vietnam over China as the manufacturing hub. 'Assembly and shipping will occur outside China to reduce geopolitical risks, with Vietnam currently the likely assemblyl ocation,' Kuo noted. Altman reportedly has ambitious goals for this product. According to The WallStreet Journal, he told employees that this project could be 'the biggest thing we've ever done as a company,' even going so far as to suggest it might add $1 trillion to OpenAI's valuation. He also believes the company could sell100 million units of the device — a bold prediction that underscores the scale of OpenAI's vision. This move marks a significant pivot for OpenAI, which until now has focused exclusively on AI software products like ChatGPT. With the creation of the IO division, now led by OpenAI executive Peter Welinder, the company is diving headfirst into physical tech. The new team will blend hardware, software, and manufacturing expertise to bring the AI device to life. Kuo also speculates that the timing of the announcement could be strategic. Coming shortly after Google's high-profile I/O 2025 event, the reveal may be intended to recenter the tech world's attention on OpenAI. 'OpenAI is leveraging a new narrative to redirect attention,' Kuo commented. This isn't Altman and Ive's first collaboration. The two began working together in2023 when OpenAI acquired a 23% stake in IO, setting the foundation for their current partnership. Rumors of an AI-first device began circulating then and have only intensified over time, especially after Altman hinted at creating a ground breaking product to revolutionize human-AI interaction. While many details remain under wraps, OpenAI's foray into hardware has already generated significant buzz. With its compact design, screenless interface, and powerful AI integration, this upcoming device may mark a major turning point not just for OpenAI but for the future of wearable technology.
India Today
23-05-2025
- Business
- India Today
OpenAI's first AI hardware will be as tiny as iPod Shuffle, will enter mass production in 2027: Report
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman topped the news charts this week with his announcement of entering the hardware world. He was rumoured to be secretly working on something like that, but in an announcement on Wednesday, he confirmed that OpenAI is working on an AI device. This ambitious new project is born from OpenAI's $6.5 billion acquisition of Ive's company IO. But the big question since the announcement has been: What will this AI device look like? There have been a number of speculations – some suggest it could be an AI smart glass, while some believe it could be similar to the Humane AI Pin. Industry analyst Ming-Chi Kuo is leaning towards the latter. advertisementKuo estimates that the OpenAI hardware will sport a compact form factor, which will be reminiscent of the iconic iPod Shuffle, but will be slightly larger than the Humane AI Pin. While the design and specs could still evolve, the early prototype suggests a strong focus on elegance and minimalism, which are also trademarks of Ive's past work at says the device won't be assembled in China. Instead, OpenAI is looking at Vietnam as the likely production base to sidestep potential geopolitical complications. 'Assembly and shipping will occur outside China to reduce geopolitical risks, with Vietnam currently the likely assembly location,' he wrote in a post on X. advertisement The device is also expected to ditch a display entirely. Instead, it will rely on built-in cameras and microphones to detect and interpret its surroundings. 'It will have cameras and microphones for environmental detection, with no display functionality,' Kuo wrote in the post. One use case in mind: wearing it around the neck, in a nod to more ambient, ever-present interaction with AI. It will connect to smartphones and PCs to tap into their computing and display OpenAI has yet to reveal what the final product will look like, this new information offers a sneak peek into the direction Sam Altman and Jony Ive are taking. But one thing's for sure: The move signals a dramatic shift for OpenAI, which has until now been focused entirely on software like ChatGPT. But with this push into physical products, the company hopes to redefine how we interact with artificial announcement of the IO acquisition earlier this week confirmed long-rumoured hardware ambitions at OpenAI. 'It became clear that our ambitions to develop, engineer and manufacture a new family of products demanded an entirely new company,' Altman and Ive said in a joint blog also believes that the timing of this announcement is also strategic. Kuo suggests it could be a way for OpenAI to steer attention away from Google's recent I/O conference, where the tech giant showed off its deep ecosystem and AI integration. 'OpenAI is leveraging a new narrative to redirect attention,' Kuo appears to have high hopes. According to The Wall Street Journal, he told employees that this could be 'the biggest thing we've ever done as a company' — and even claimed it might add $1 trillion to OpenAI's valuation. He also reportedly said that OpenAI could sell 100 million units of the AI new IO division will be led by OpenAI executive Peter Welinder, who has worked on experimental products and robotics in the past. The team includes talent from a mix of backgrounds across hardware, software, and also isn't the first time Altman and Ive have worked together. The two collaborated in 2023, when OpenAI acquired a 23 per cent stake in IO. Those early rumours of an 'AI-first device' began around then, and gained momentum earlier this year when Altman hinted at a new kind of product that would change how people interact with AI.
