Recently, hardware startup Humane announced that it has sold most of its assets to HP for $116 million. This deal means that Humane will soon cease sales of its $499 AI Pin device, and after 12:00 PM on February 28, 2025, these devices will no longer function. Humane has reminded users who have purchased the AI Pin on its blog to transfer important photos and data to external devices before this date, as the devices will no longer connect to Humane's servers, making it impossible to make calls, send messages, conduct AI queries, or access the cloud.
To adapt to its new business direction, Humane plans to disband the customer support team for the AI Pin on the same day. Additionally, according to the FAQ, users who purchased the AI Pin within the last 90 days can apply for a refund, but those who purchased it earlier will not be eligible for the refund policy.
Humane launched the AI Pin in April 2024, hoping it could replace traditional smartphones. However, the device did not receive positive feedback from consumers, with many early reviews indicating disappointing performance, leading to an imbalance between sales and returns. Last summer, the return rate for Humane began to exceed sales, indicating a troubling situation. The company even requested users to stop using the charging case due to the risk of battery fires. Subsequently, Humane reduced the price of the AI Pin from $699 to $499 in hopes of stimulating sales, but the impact was minimal.
After the acquisition is complete, HP will absorb Humane's engineers and product managers to form a new team called HP IQ, focusing on AI innovation in the future of work. The establishment of this team indicates HP's desire to integrate a smarter ecosystem into its products and services. Additionally, HP will acquire some of Humane's technology, including the CosmOS AI operating system. A recent advertisement from Humane showcased that this operating system can run on car entertainment systems, smart speakers, televisions, and Android phones, which will help HP integrate AI into personal computers and printers.
It is reported that Humane sought to be acquired for between $750 million and $1 billion in May 2024, but the final acquisition price was significantly lower than expected, reflecting the challenges the company faces. Humane has not yet responded to media requests for comment.