Humane’s Star Trek-like AI communicator is one of the most anticipated gadgets in recent memory and for good reason. With more than $230 million in funding and a team of former Apple executives behind it, expectations for the device have been sky-high. However, the first look we got at the gadget during a TED Talk event (check out some videos via Inverse) left some underwhelmed.
While the Humane gadget certainly looks futuristic, it doesn’t seem to be the iPhone killer we’ve been waiting for. In fact, it looks like a device that was intentionally designed to look nothing like the iPhone. The lack of a touchscreen, the use of a laser projector, and the absence of traditional apps and web browsing are all indications that Humane is trying to create a completely new paradigm for mobile computing.
One of the most interesting features of the Humane gadget is its use of a projector to beam light onto nearby surfaces, effectively turning them into a makeshift touchscreen. While this may seem like a gimmick at first, it could be an effective way to interact with the device without the need for a physical screen. However, it remains to be seen whether this feature will be enough to win over consumers.
The device itself is worn on the chest and consists of two components: the visible element that features the camera, laser, and speaker, and the part that goes inside the jacket pocket that contains the brains and battery of the device. This means that users will need to have clothes with the right type of pockets in order to use the device, which could limit its appeal.
One of the most impressive features of the Humane gadget is its artificial intelligence capabilities. During the TED Talk event, co-founder Imran Chaudhri demonstrated the device’s ability to translate his voice into French using a personal AI that sits on the Humane device. This is a feature that could prove invaluable for travelers and international businesspeople, and it shows that Humane is serious about creating a device that can compete with the iPhone on a global scale.
Despite its impressive AI and projector features, there are some notable gaps in the Humane gadget’s functionality. For example, there is no web browsing or traditional apps with a visual UI, which could limit its appeal to consumers who rely heavily on these features. Additionally, the lack of a touchscreen could make it difficult for some users to interact with the device, and the need for specific types of pockets could limit its practicality.
It’s clear that the Humane gadget has some impressive technology behind it, but it remains to be seen whether it will be enough to truly challenge the dominance of the iPhone. While some may be disappointed by the lack of a traditional touchscreen and apps, others may find the use of a projector and AI capabilities to be enough to justify the device’s $230 million in funding. Only time will tell whether Humane’s Star Trek-like communicator will be a hit with consumers or simply another footnote in the history of mobile computing.
