Humane’s AI Pin Short-Lived Journey Ends as HP Secures Acquisition

The once-promising tech startup Humane has announced a major shift in course, with its AI Pin now officially meeting its demise. HP has emerged as the new owner of most of Humane’s assets, purchasing them for a substantial $116 million. The acquisition marks the end of a tumultuous journey for Humane’s ambitious hardware venture.

Immediate Halt to AI Pin Sales

In an immediate response to the acquisition, Humane has ceased all sales of its AI Pins. Priced originally at $499, these devices aimed to revolutionize how users interacted with technology by serving as an innovative smartphone replacement. However, current AI Pin users are now being alerted that their devices will cease functionality by the end of February 2025. Specifically, the shutdown is scheduled for 12 p.m. PST on February 28, 2025.

Transferring Data and Seeking Refunds

• User guidance is crucial at this stage. Humane strongly advises AI Pin owners to transfer their important photos and data to other storage devices.
• The company’s customer support for this product will dissolve concurrently on February 28. Humane also offers refunds, but the catch is eligibility is limited to customers who purchased the device within the last 90 days of the announcement.

The Rise and Fall of Humane’s AI Pin

Founded by ex-Apple veterans Bethany Bongiorno and Imran Chaudhri, Humane launched its AI Pin with much fanfare in April 2024. Positioned as a next-gen alternative to traditional smartphones, the AI Pin garnered attention and secured over $230 million in funding. Yet, the innovation triumphed briefly as poor reviews and technical challenges surfaced.

Early concerns became apparent when aspects such as frequent returns began outnumbering sales, a crisis reportedly highlighted by The Verge. This was exacerbated by issues such as charging case safety warnings amid fears of battery fires.

HP’s Vision with AI and Technology

As part of the acquisition, HP will integrate Humane’s engineers and product managers into a newly created division, named HP IQ. This division aims to focus on constructing an “AI innovation lab” dedicated to creating intelligent ecosystems for the modern workspace.

CosmOS Integration and Future Prospects

Among the technological gains from this purchase is the CosmOS AI operating system. Initially demonstrated for diverse applications including cars, phones, and smart home devices, this technology now holds potential for enhancing HP’s product lineup, spanning PCs to printers.

In a past ambitious bid to escalate its influence, Humane attempted to secure a sale around $750 million to $1 billion, according to Bloomberg. The achieved sale price fell significantly short but serves as a stepping stone for HP’s strategic aspirations.

Reflections and Insights

The closure of Humane’s hardware project stands as a reminder of the fast-evolving nature of tech innovation. Sometimes even groundbreaking concepts face hurdles that transit them from hype to history.

Future Endeavors and Lessons Learned

• With Humane’s chapter concluding, the industry awaits how HP IQ will leverage acquired assets for new heights.
• The episode serves as a cautionary study for tech startups, emphasizing the importance of stability and consumer trust.

It’s a pivotal time in AI advancements, and HP’s newly formed division may yet chart a valuable course, implementing lessons from Humane’s venture to foster durable and meaningful tech breakthroughs.

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Source: https://techcrunch.com/2025/02/18/humanes-ai-pin-is-dead-as-hp-buys-startups-assets-for-116m/