Humane, Inc., the innovative AI hardware company initiated by former Apple professionals Imran Chaudhri and Bethany Bongiorno, is actively searching for a buyer following the unsuccessful debut of its AI Pin product.It is reported that the company is currently engaging in talks with HP Inc. along with other potential partners, including numerous prominent telecommunications firms. Investment bank Tidal’s involvement has been secured by the company to aid in the potential deal.

From Hyped Innovation to Major Letdown

Billed as a revolutionary smartphone replacement, the AI Pin promised to let users make calls, send texts, and perform search queries via voice commands.

Priced at a steep $699 with an additional $24 monthly data subscription from T-Mobile, expectations were high. However, the reality was far from the hype. Early reviews slammed the device as “more science project than finished product,” “totally broken,” and “a party trick at best”.

Just a week after these damning reviews surfaced, The New York Times reported that Humane had initiated talks with HP about selling itself for more than $1 billion. Bloomberg later corroborated this, noting Humane’s asking price of between $750 million and $1 billion.

Turmoil and Technical Troubles

The AI Pin’s launch revealed a slew of technical and operational issues. The device’s laser display led to severe overheating problems, with executives resorting to ice packs to extend its operational time.

Additionally, Humane had to issue a warning to customers about the fire risks posed by the device’s charging case.

Internal strife added to the chaos. Humane reportedly fired a senior software engineer in February for questioning the product’s readiness, violating a company policy that forbids negative internal commentary.

Verge reported that Chaudhri and Bongiorno ignored repeated warnings about the AI Pin’s inadequate battery life and excessive power consumption, opting instead for “positivity over criticism”.

Despite ambitious goals to sell 100,000 units in its first year, Humane had secured only about 10,000 orders by early April, a stark indication of the product’s failure to resonate with consumers.

Check out MKBHD’s review of AI Pin

Will HP come to the Rescue? My take on it!

Acknowledging the fallout, Bongiorno remarked that “you don’t know everything before you launch,” while Chaudhri admitted they “definitely wish that we were able to resolve some of those things a little bit differently”.

This candid reflection highlights the unpredictable nature of launching cutting-edge hardware.

HP, with its history of acquiring and subsequently shelving Palm’s hardware and webOS in 2010, emerges as a potential savior for Humane.

Whether HP or another buyer steps in, the acquisition could reshape Humane’s trajectory and salvage what remains of its innovative vision.

The ongoing talks and the eventual outcome of these negotiations will be pivotal in determining the fate of Humane, Inc. and its controversial AI Pin device.