YouTuber MKBHD Calls This New Gadget the Worst He’s Ever Reviewed

YouTuber Marques Brownlee recently reviewed Humane's AI Pin, labeling it as “the worst product I’ve ever reviewed” while still acknowledging a couple of its positive aspects.

For those unfamiliar, the Humane AI Pin resembles a strapless Apple Watch that you attach to your clothing. It harnesses artificial intelligence and is designed to eventually replace your smartphone. However, it lacks a traditional display; instead, most interactions are voice-activated, with an interface projected onto your palm.

Launched in 2023, this compact device aims to be an always-present AI assistant. Unfortunately, tech reviewers have largely critiqued it for being “too bare-bones and not all that useful,” failing to meet its ambitious promises. A review roundup from Tom’s Guide harshly characterized the device with the headline "this is a disaster."

In a recent video, Brownlee, known as MKBHD, shared his experiences after a week of using the AI Pin. His assessment is far from flattering. He stated that the AI Pin is “too much of a pain to use” and “bad at almost everything it does.” Responses to voice commands are often sluggish and occasionally inaccurate, reflecting the still-evolving nature of generative AI technology.

Furthermore, the battery life is disappointing, lasting only a few hours during heavy use. Brownlee criticized the image quality, noting that photos taken with the AI Pin “look pretty bad” and videos “look even worse.” He observed that the projector lacks brightness, making it difficult to read projected content outdoors, and it only displays text and images in green.

On the upside, Brownlee appreciated the convenience of saving quick voice notes while driving and mentioned the potential for first-person video capture, despite the current low quality. He remarked, “As a brand-new product, I respect the attempt and the effort.”

Nonetheless, he emphasized that the AI Pin has “a long way to go” before it becomes a viable option for consumers, advising potential buyers to “never purchase a product based on promised future updates.”