“The ‘worst product ever’ has something to admire”

The screenless smartphone alternative powered by artificial intelligence, Humane AI Pin, has come under fire, but designers shouldn’t make the mistake of dismissing it outright, writes Abb-d Taiyo.

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When the Humane AI Pin was released earlier this year, it was called one of the biggest tech flops of 2024. Smartphone without a screen. One reviewer called it “the worst product I’ve ever reviewed,” citing that it doesn’t perform basic functions like making a phone call, playing a song, or setting a timer in testing.

But practical limitations aside, the AI ​​Pin concept was a brilliant example of design. This is a step in the right direction when it comes to personal technology designed with user well-being in mind.

The idea behind this is something that designers should adopt.

In a world where we are constantly drawn to screens, designers’ social responsibility to promote healthier relationships with technology has never been more apparent. Digital design focuses on supporting interaction, often with the goal of driving sales or channel activity. But good design, for both the user and the product, should be transparent.

The Humane AI Pin can be associated with the concept of “invisible” design, which easily supports users’ goals without requiring unnecessary attention. While the AI ​​Pin itself hasn’t lived up to expectations, designers should adopt the idea behind it to limit reliance on screens.

As Charles Duhigg defined in his book The Power of Habit, at the heart of every habit is a neurological loop made up of three parts: the cue, the routine, and the reward. User experience designers have been developing products that can simplify these triggers for decades.

Think about the push notifications we are constantly bombarded with, or our innate need to document moments and post them on social media. Stuck in the feedback loop of our screens, we lose our sense of space and time.

Developing products that are designed to break these deeply ingrained habits is no easy task. Like feeding your baby carrot sticks instead of candy, these foods are not meant to provide instant gratification. Rather, they are designed to gradually wean us off our technology in the hopes of finding some form of balance and moderation.

Developing such products poses a risk, conflicting with the term “user engagement” and, ultimately, with profit. But, especially in the world of digital design, it can be a blessing if done right.

We are collectively aligned with what the Humane AI badge aims to achieve.

Invisible design principles such as subtlety, empowerment, and reduced cognitive load are what great digital design should be about. By removing barriers between users and tasks, digital design should not be about keeping users engrossed in the algorithm’s digital infinity mirror, but rather simply ensuring that users get what they need from a product, when and when they need it need to.

When introducing a new product to market, a delicate balance must be struck between innovation and accessibility. While Humane AI Pin aimed to curb our screen addiction and remove the friction between user and task, there was a gap when it came to educating the public about its real purpose.

Some might say that we don’t want to be removed from screens. Many criticized its $700 price tag. But AI Pin’s failure may also be due to its desire to introduce a new computing paradigm to a mass market that simply wasn’t ready for it.

In the influencer/gig/platform economy, our lives become intertwined with our screens. If you make your living online (as about 16 percent of Americans do), why would you want a product that essentially erases that component of your existence?

The critics were right; it was a product that cost too much for minimal features. But the philosophy behind it—simplifying how we interact with technology in a more intuitive way while encouraging less dependence on it—was a visionary idea that ultimately failed in execution.

If you look at forms of spatial computing like Apple’s Vision Pro released earlier this year, you’ll see that we’re collectively leaning towards what Humane AI Pin set out to achieve. We crave technological interactions that feel second nature, and we’re tired of screens that feel like an extension when we’re so connected to what they have to offer.

Efficient and easy to use – the new black color

But there is a huge opportunity for designers to learn from Humane AI Pin’s failure. Our relationship with technology is constantly evolving, and what was once a novelty (think of the beer drinking app available on the first iPhone) has now become an integral part of our daily lives, shaping the way we work, communicate and even think. .

Products no longer need to be overly stimulating to be attractive, and users want an easy, hassle-free way to accomplish their tasks. The focus has shifted from flashy features to intuitive design that anticipates user needs. Efficiency and ease of use are the new black as people gravitate toward technology that fits seamlessly into their daily lives rather than requiring constant attention.

One of the guiding principles of invisible design that I practice every day is empowerment. For a product to stand out today, it must empower users without overwhelming them, and good design is the driving catalyst for this.

So, the “worst product ever” has something to admire. This has left a lasting legacy for both digital and product designers.

As our relationship with technology changes and is under constant scrutiny, we increasingly rely on the products that shape that interaction. The Humane AI icon introduced a new way to interact with technology that prioritizes human-centered interactions without compromising our sense of self. Its basic principles should become a guiding light in our work on the next project.

Abb-d Tayo is the co-founder and chief creative officer of design and impact agency Driftime.

Photo courtesy of Humane.

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