Humane AI Pin: A $700 Paperweight
The Humane AI Pin, a much-hyped wearable with artificial intelligence capabilities, is now officially dead. Less than a year after its launch, the device—and its core features—have been shut down following HP’s acquisition of Humane, leaving users with a useless piece of tech. Although some basic functions remain, such as checking the battery life, the voice assistant, the heart of the device, is unavailable.
For those who invested $700 in the AI Pin, this outcome is frustrating. While early adoption carries certain risks, the abrupt end of the device’s functionality, even before the warranty expired, feels like a significant letdown. Humane sold approximately 10,000 units, with daily returns at one point reportedly outpacing sales. This leaves thousands of devices as electronic waste, which is already a global crisis. Humane could have handled the termination of the AI Pin more responsibly.
Can You Get a Refund?
Unfortunately, there’s likely no way to get your money back. If you purchased the pin in October 2024 (for some reason), you may still be within the 120-day window to initiate a chargeback with your credit card company.
Alternative Options?
Here are some ways to deal with your bricked device:
File a Complaint With the FTC
According to Lucas Gutterman, Campaign Director of the Designed to Last campaign at Public Interest Research Groups (PIRG), shutting down a product consumers have paid for is an “unfair and deceptive” practice. He encourages all AI Pin purchasers to file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to seek consumer protection.
“When we buy something with advertised features, we should get what we pay for, and when we get ripped off the law should protect us,” Gutterman says.
Last year, a coalition of groups, including US PIRG and Consumer Reports, urged the FTC to address “software tethering,” which they describe as the use of software to control and limit a device’s functionality after purchase. The FTC conducted a study and found that nearly 89% of manufacturers’ websites for connected products failed to disclose the length of software updates.
Humane’s warranty excludes “software and software functionality.” However, failing to provide software updates to maintain the device’s advertised features may violate the Magnuson Moss Warranty Act.
“Without transparent labeling of length of software support, or by taking away key features that were advertised, manufacturers might be violating the FTC Act by deceiving consumers,” Gutterman says. “Paying for a $700 product that’s supposed to work, and then being told it will suddenly stop working, is a ‘harm consumers cannot avoid,’ although it’s one that Humane could have humanely avoided before they shipped e-waste to-be.”
You can file a complaint with the FTC here.
Pressure Humane to Open Up the Software
When companies cease providing updates and disable primary functions of a product, a dedicated community can sometimes step in to revive or maintain the product’s capabilities. This has happened with products like the iPod, the Game Boy, and even the Pebble smartwatch.
The Humane AI Pin may not have a large enough following to facilitate this kind of community support, but opening the software’s keys would simplify this process. Kyle Wiens, CEO of iFixit, suggests Humane follow Pebble’s example and open the device to the public. Alternatively, the community may need to wait for a vulnerability to be discovered to create custom software.
Humane has not responded to our request for comment.
Dispose or Disassemble It
If you are ready to get rid of the AI Pin, Wiens recommends removing the battery and taking the device to an e-recycler. It’s also important to responsibly dispose of the accessories that came with the device, although you can repurpose the charging adapter and braided cable.
Frame It as Art
For a more creative solution, you can use a service like Grid to deconstruct and frame the Humane AI Pin, transforming it into a piece of art. This could serve as a daily reminder of the money spent on this failed device. Grid’s service costs $90, which includes design, materials, and shipping.
“We have carefully examined the structure of the Humane Ai Pin and can confirm that we are able to provide a deconstruction and framing service for it. If anyone is interested in preserving their Ai Pin as a unique framed artwork instead of letting it go to waste, they can definitely reach out to us.”
You can contact Grid at support@gridstudio.cc.
Use It as a Paperweight
The Ai Pin is more than up to the complex task of weighing down paper!
If all else fails, the Ai Pin can serve the simple function of a paperweight. Alternatively, you can store it away and tell your grandchildren about this gadget—the next big thing—that could have been.
