2024 is not even halfway through yet, but it's already been an interesting year in the world of gadgets. The tech giant typically releases its typical assortment of new phones, smartwatches, laptops, tablets, and more on an annual (or semi-annual) basis, but this year saw the debut of several firsts.
Apple and Samsung, the world's two largest smartphone makers, are both expanding into new categories, with the iPhone maker releasing its Vision Pro mixed reality headset and the South Korean tech giant releasing its Galaxy Ring finger-worn wellness tracker. announced. Startups Rabbit Inc. and Humane AI have also made a lot of noise with their AI-powered gadgets. Both require you to give commands to a portable AI agent rather than swiping a screen.
So what do the Apple Vision Pro, Samsung Galaxy Ring, Rabbit R1, and Humane AI Pin have in common? At least on the surface, there doesn't seem to be much. But all of these gadgets have one common goal: to change your relationship with your screen.
With Vision Pro, Apple aims to extend apps beyond the confines of the physical screen. Samsung's Galaxy Ring isn't the first of its kind, but it wants to track your health without the distraction of a tiny display on your wrist. And both Humane and Rabbit are on a mission to prove that you don't need to open an app to get things done quickly.
All these gadgets have big ambitions and are understandably met with a lot of skepticism.
Apple Vision Pro's high price tag of $3,500 puts it out of reach for most people. Also, there aren't many apps optimized for Apple Vision Pro yet. Rabbit and Humane's products probably aren't ready for primetime yet. And the Samsung Galaxy Ring has not been released yet. But they all point to a future where we might spend less time tapping and scrolling on the tiny devices in our pockets.
read more: Rabbit R1 explained: Features of this little AI gadget
Are you ready for a world with fewer screens?
That's the biggest question I had after trying both Humane AI Pin and Rabbit R1. The idea of a palm-sized AI agent that could save time intrigued me, but as it stands, neither device offers an experience beyond a smartphone.
My colleague Scott Stein, who spent more time using the Humane AI Pin than I did, noticed that the voice-controlled AI assistant's answers were inconsistent. Humane also features laser projection, a novel and futuristic way to compensate for the lack of a screen on your device. The device can project text and images onto your hand in situations where you need a visual interface to interact, such as entering a passcode. However, this system takes some getting used to. As Scott writes, this interface requires tilting and moving your hand to make selections, which can be inconvenient.
I briefly tried Pin, but I agree there is a significant learning curve involved. At that point, I'd rather reach for my phone. Not to mention, the Humane AI Pin costs $700, which is more than most people are willing to spend on a non-essential device.
The $199 Rabbit R1 is a bit more intuitive, with a (albeit smaller) screen, but it has too many drawbacks to recommend it at this point. The R1 is fun to use with its funky retro design and natural language smarts, but I didn't find a compelling reason to use it on my phone.
The services we currently work with, such as DoorDash, are much more limited than the apps you have on your phone. For example, DoorDash only shows you a handful of options. Spotify's interface is limited to the currently playing song and queue. The Rabbit R1 can also connect to your Uber account, but we couldn't get it to work during testing.
Many of Rabbit R1's key features and integrations are not yet available, making it difficult to truly grasp the app-free future envisioned by founder Jesse Lyu.
Apple's Vision Pro boasts stunningly immersive visuals that surround you with apps and virtual screens. With the ability to make FaceTime calls as big as you want, you'll never want to talk to someone through a tiny 6-inch screen again. But the Vision Pro still feels like it's searching for its main purpose. It took years for the Apple Watch's health and fitness direction to take shape, and I suspect it will be the same for the Vision Pro.
Ming-Chi Kuo, an analyst at TF International Securities known for his close relationship with Apple's product forecasts and supply chain, recently reported that the company has reduced shipments of Vision Pro. This probably indicates that demand has been weaker than expected so far.
Samsung hasn't launched the Galaxy Ring yet, so it's hard to say how this gadget will be perceived. When it comes to wearable technology, smartwatches and wireless earbuds have become well-established over the past decade, accounting for the majority of the market, while smart rings only make up a small portion of shipments, according to International Data Corporation. It is expected that
Smart rings have several advantages over smartwatches, especially in that they are discreet and have a longer battery life. But Samsung is already facing competition from Oura, which is said to have made a major contribution to popularizing the field.
Possibilities for a future without screens
AI devices, expensive headsets like the Vision Pro, and smart rings each have a long way to go to prove their role in our lives. But the future they are trying to create is fascinating.
Rabbit wants to normalize the use of AI agents to interact with apps on behalf of users. What if instead of opening several different apps to book a vacation, you could ask a virtual helper to find the right hotel and flight for you using a few simple commands? That's Rabbit's goal. But it feels like a far cry from the experience available today.
Humane is similarly trying to build a case for a wearable AI companion that can complete tasks without reaching for your smartphone.
Vision Pro, on the other hand, has great potential as an entertainment and communication device, allowing you to watch movies or call loved ones on a screen that's too big to hold in your hand.
Samsung's Galaxy Ring could bring us closer to a future where gadgets disguised as jewelry can passively monitor our vitals all day long, without the constant pinging of notifications or the temptation to stare at another glowing square. . Even better, what if your AI assistant could give you tips and insights based on your ring data without even having to open the app at all?
None of these gadgets are intended to replace your cell phone or reduce your screen time. But data suggests there may be demand for tools that can do these things. A study by health data management company Harmony Healthcare IT found that 40% of survey respondents are looking to reduce their screen time in 2024. The survey included responses from more than 1,000 Americans and found that, on average, they are trying to reduce their screen time. I spend 4 hours and 37 minutes every day staring at my phone.
It's a future that feels close, but at the same time, it's so far away that it's out of reach. If one thing is certain, it's that technology companies large and small are finding ways to go beyond screens, for better or worse. But replacing small screens that fit in your pocket won't be easy, and it's a goal that probably won't be achieved anytime soon.
Check out Apple's Vision Pro headset and what's included
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