Rabbit R1: Barely Reviewable
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Promos
AI in a Box. But a different box. Get a dbrand skin and screen protector at dbrand.com MKBHD Merch: shop.mkbhd.com Tech I'm using right now: amazon.com Intro Track: youtube.com Playlist of MKBHD Intro music: goo.gl R1 provided by Rabbit for review. ~ twitter.com @MKBHD @MKBHD 0:00 Intro 0:26 AI In A Box 3:40 It’s Also Bad 7:07 $200 9:56 Large Action Model 14:06 What Are We Doing Here? 16:42 FUTURE
Rabbit R1 is presented as a compact AI in a box that aims to stand out from competitors like the Humane Ai Pin, but in practice it carries many of the same limitations and design quirks. The video opens by positioning the R1 as a non-wearable, pocket-sized device with a single action button and a built-in display, all contained in a bright orange shell designed by Teenage Engineering. Marques explains that while the device is faster at answering questions than the Humane Pin, it still relies on cloud processing for virtually every request and often trips over basic expectations for a modern assistant. The user interface relies on a physical scroll wheel and a shake gesture to access settings, with a touchscreen largely relegated to a terminal mode for typing, which leads to a clunky and unintuitive navigation experience. A key thrust of the review is that the device excels at simple Q&A interactions but struggles with practical functionality, such as alarm setting, recording, emailing, and calendar features, which diminishes its usefulness in everyday workflows. The video juxtaposes pricing and feature promises, noting the Rabbit R1 costs 200 dollars with no ongoing subscription, yet still requires a separate SIM card for cellular connectivity and ships without essential accessories, highlighting a consumer risk when buying into an unfinished ecosystem. Marques contemplates the broader trend of unfinished, high-priced launches across tech sectors, arguing that the value of these devices often hinges on future software updates and data training, rather than what shipping hardware currently delivers. He closes with a cautious optimism, acknowledging the potential of a highly personalized AI assistant while warning that widespread adoption will require significant time, data, and more robust app ecosystems before the promise feels closer to reality.
Topics · technology · consumer-electronics · ai · review · future-tech · software-and-services
Questions answered
- What makes Rabbit R1 different from the Humane Ai Pin in terms of usability and hardware design?
- Rabbit R1 is non-wearable and pocket-sized with a single physical button, built-in display, and a scroll wheel for navigation, whereas the Humane Ai Pin is wearable and relies on a different interaction model. The R1 also uses a SIM card slot for cellular data and ships with minimal accessories, emphasizing portability and a desktop-like UI rather than a ring or wearable form factor.
- What are the mains strengths and weaknesses highlighted in the review?
- Strengths include faster response times for cloud-based queries and a novel large action model concept that could enable app-driven actions. Weaknesses cover critical gaps such as poor battery life, limited built-in features (no alarms, calendar, or camera recording), a dual-mode touchscreen that is largely unused, and an underdeveloped app ecosystem with only four functional apps at launch.
- Is the price point a strong argument for or against purchasing the Rabbit R1?
- At 200 dollars with no subscription, the price is lower than the Humane Pin but still risky because most promised features and app integrations are not fully functional yet. The value hinges on future improvements such as expanded apps, Teach Mode, and a more complete generative UI, making it a gamble for early adopters.
- What is the reviewer’s stance on buying devices like the Rabbit R1 today?
- The reviewer advises buying based on what the product is today rather than future promises, acknowledging the difficulty of assessing products that may dramatically improve later. This reflects a cautious, pragmatic approach to evaluating unfinished tech at launch.