HP Acquires Humane’s AI Pin Assets for $116M: The End of an Innovative Era

Humane’s Acquisition by HP: What It Means for AI Pin Owners

Overview of the Acquisition

On Tuesday, HP announced the acquisition of most assets from Humane for a staggering $116 million. This acquisition marks a significant shift in the landscape of hardware startups, particularly for those invested in AI technology.

Discontinuation of AI Pins

As part of this transition, Humane has made the decision to cease sales of its innovative AI Pin, originally priced at $499. Customers who currently own an AI Pin have been notified that their devices will become non-functional before the end of the month. Specifically, as of 12 p.m. PST on February 28, 2025, the AI Pins will no longer connect to Humane’s servers, which means:

• No calling or messaging capabilities
• No access to AI queries or responses
• No cloud access

Humane strongly advises AI Pin owners to transfer any important photos and data to an external device as soon as possible to avoid loss of information.

Customer Support Changes

Humane’s customer support team for the AI Pin will be dissolved on February 28. According to their FAQ, customers who purchased an AI Pin within the last 90 days are eligible for a refund. However, those who bought the device before that time frame will not receive a refund.

The Rise and Fall of Humane

Humane, founded by former Apple employees Bethany Bongiorno and Imran Chaudhri, gained attention in April 2024 when it launched the AI Pin, which was marketed as a potential replacement for smartphones. The startup successfully raised over $230 million, but faced significant challenges:

• Early reviews and customer feedback were largely disappointing.
• Returns for the AI Pin began to outpace sales throughout the summer.
• Concerns over battery fires led to advisories against using the charging case.
• The price of the AI Pin was reduced from $699 to $499 in an attempt to boost sales.

Future of HP’s New AI Innovations

With the acquisition, HP will not only gain access to Humane’s engineers and product managers but will also establish a new division called HP IQ. This new group will serve as an “AI innovation lab” aimed at creating a smart ecosystem for HP’s products and services, enhancing the future of work.

Integration of Humane’s Technology

HP will also acquire some of Humane’s advanced technology, including the CosmOS AI operating system. This operating system has the potential to revolutionize various devices, as demonstrated in recent advertisements suggesting its capability to operate in:

• Car entertainment systems
• Smart speakers
• Televisions
• Android phones

Such advancements could significantly enhance AI integration within HP’s personal computers and printers.

Looking Ahead

Initially, Humane sought a much higher acquisition price, between $750 million and $1 billion, as reported by Bloomberg in May 2024. The transition to HP marks both an ending and a new beginning in the realm of AI hardware technology.

For further updates on the impact of this acquisition, stay tuned to industry news platforms like TechCrunch.