Humane Shifts Gears: From AI Pin Flop to CosmOS Ambitions
Following the failure of its pin AI, Humane has unveiled CosmOS, a multi-platform AI operating system designed to revolutionize the world of connected devices.
Humane Shifts Direction After AI Pin Setback
Following criticism of its AI pin, Humane has opted for a strategic shift towards software development. This new direction is highlighted by a video showcasing their CosmOS software operating across various connected devices including cars, TVs, and smart speakers.
Introducing CosmOS: A Novel Operating System
Humane introduced CosmOS as an “AI-driven operating system designed for a range of connected devices”. However, the video only demonstrated “simulated experiences” for illustrative purposes, rather than showcasing the AI in actual use. It depicted a CosmOS user in a car, seeking restaurant recommendations and guest arrival updates, and adjusting the thermostat. At home, the user interacts with an unfamiliar smart speaker to get a recipe and a football player’s scoring stats on a smart TV.
CosmOS’s Compatibility Across Multiple Platforms
According to Humane, CosmOS is device and LLM agnostic, meaning it can operate on vehicles, mobile devices, PCs, wearables, and more. The company also plans to release its SDK to the public, enabling developers and businesses to easily incorporate their data and services into CosmOS, thereby leveraging its powerful ecosystem to enhance utility across various devices and platforms.
Fierce Competition in the AI Sector
As Humane aims to market its OS as an AI solution for third-party devices, it faces stiff competition. Cherlynn Low from Engadget noted that Humane’s AI pin performed no better than a Google search for fetching information and was slower. Despite having some useful features like contextual follow-up questions, this seems to be the bare minimum for any AI assistant in 2024. It appears that companies manufacturing their own devices (cars, TVs, phones, etc.) would likely consider more established AI assistants from OpenAI, Gemini, or other credible entities.