The reviewer is discussing the Rabbit R1, a portable AI assistant that promises to offer a more affordable alternative to the Humane Ai Pin. The device has a 2.9-inch screen, a scroll wheel, and a swiveling camera, and can perform tasks such as answering questions, identifying objects, and controlling apps. However, the reviewer notes that the device is still in its early stages and lacks many basic features, such as the ability to set alarms, record videos, or send emails.
The reviewer criticizes the device's design, citing issues with the scroll wheel, the lack of a back button, and the limited use of the touchscreen. They also note that the device's battery life is poor, lasting only around four hours.
Despite these limitations, the reviewer is excited about the potential of the Rabbit R1, particularly its ability to use apps and services like a human would. They note that the device has been trained on a large dataset and can perform tasks such as playing Spotify songs and ordering food through DoorDash.
However, the reviewer also notes that the device is still in its early stages, and many of its features are not yet available. They criticize the trend of tech companies releasing unfinished products and promising to deliver features and updates later.
Ultimately, the reviewer advises consumers to buy the product based on what it can do today, rather than what it promises to do in the future. They note that the device's low price point makes it a more palatable investment, but caution that it is still a gamble.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text:
1. The device being reviewed is called the Rabbit R1.
2. The Rabbit R1 is a virtual assistant in a box, designed by Teenage Engineering.
3. It has a 2.9-inch diagonal TFT screen with no auto-brightness.
4. The device has a single button on the right side for asking questions.
5. It has a built-in screen and a SIM card tray alongside a USB Type-C port for charging.
6. The device sends most requests to the cloud, but feels quicker to answer questions than the Humane Ai Pin.
7. The device can connect headphones via Bluetooth or use its built-in speaker.
8. It shows the text of answers on the screen, along with the time and battery life.
9. The device has a scroll wheel for navigating the UI, but no back button.
10. To change brightness or volume, two hands are required.
11. The device has a swiveling camera for using vision to answer questions.
12. The device can recognize and respond to natural language input.
13. The device has a "Teach Mode" that allows it to learn from user interactions, but this feature is not yet available.
14. The device has a large action model that can use apps and services like a human would, but this feature is still in development.
15. The device comes with four pre-installed apps: Spotify, Uber, DoorDash, and Midjourney.
16. The device has a price tag of $200, with no subscription fee.
17. The device requires a separate SIM card to work on cellular networks.
18. The unboxing experience is minimal, with no charging brick, USB-C cable, or instruction manual included.
19. The device is made of plastic and has a basic camera and speaker.
20. The device has a low-end MediaTek chip and limited battery life.
21. The device has a touchscreen, but it's only used for typing on the keyboard in terminal mode.
22. The device has a generative UI that can recognize and build a UI for different types of apps, but this feature is still theoretical.
23. The device has a "Rabbit Hole" online portal where users can log in and enable different apps and features.
24. The device is available in only one color, a bright orange.
25. The device's design is intentional, with a focus on analog controls and a unique look.