Introduction to Humane’s Decision

AI hardware startup Humane has made a sudden announcement, giving its users a mere ten days’ notice that their Pins will be disconnected. This decision has been communicated through a note to its customers, outlining the specifics of the discontinuation.

Details of the Disconnection

According to the announcement, AI Pins will continue to function normally until 12PM PT on February 28. After this date, users will lose access to most of their device’s features, including calling, messaging, AI queries, and cloud access. However, users will still be able to check their battery life. The company is advising users to download any stored data before February 28, as all remaining customer data will be permanently deleted when the servers are shut down.

Refund Policy

Humane has stated that it will refund customers who are still within the 90-day return window, provided they submit their refund request by February 27. Additionally, users who opted to wait for a replacement for the device’s combo fire hazard and Charge Case will be refunded the portion of their original purchase price allocated to the Charge Case, which was $149 if ordered separately or $129 if ordered as part of the "Complete System" bundle.

Reason for Discontinuation

The discontinuation of the AI Pin has been precipitated by the acquisition of Humane by HP, with HP purchasing the company’s intellectual property for $116 million. However, HP has shown no interest in Humane’s current hardware business. The AI Pin received widespread criticism upon its launch, with many reviewers, including Engadget’s Cherlynn Low, describing it as the solution to none of technology’s problems.

Future Plans for HP

HP plans to utilize Humane’s engineers, architects, and product innovators to form a new team called HP IQ, an AI innovation lab focused on building an intelligent ecosystem across HP’s products and services for the future of work. This move is seen as a strategic step forward for HP, despite the challenges faced by Humane.

Background

Last June, The New York Times reported that Humane was seeking a $1 billion buyout after receiving only 10,000 orders, with HP cited as a potential interested company. It appears that Humane’s founders have now settled for a significantly lower figure, $116 million, after seven months of negotiations.