HP has acquired the AI-powered software assets of Humane, a company known for developing AI-centric wearable devices. This acquisition focuses specifically on Humane's software, and its team of AI experts will join HP to bolster their personalized computing experiences. The move aims to enhance HP's capabilities in AI and create more intuitive and human-centered interactions with technology, aligning with HP's broader vision of hybrid work and ambient computing. While Humane’s hardware efforts are not explicitly mentioned as part of the acquisition, HP highlights the value of the software in its potential to reshape how people interact with PCs and other devices.
Meta's Project Aria research kit consists of smart glasses and a wristband designed to gather first-person data like video, audio, eye-tracking, and location, which will be used to develop future AR glasses. This data is anonymized and used to train AI models that understand the real world, enabling features like seamless environmental interaction and intuitive interfaces. The research kit is not a consumer product and is only distributed to qualified researchers participating in specific studies. The project emphasizes privacy and responsible data collection, employing blurring and redaction techniques to protect bystanders' identities in the collected data.
Several Hacker News commenters express skepticism about Meta's Project Aria research kit, questioning the value of collecting such extensive data and the potential privacy implications. Some doubt the project's usefulness for AR development, suggesting that realistic scenarios are more valuable than vast amounts of "boring" data. Others raise concerns about data security and the possibility of misuse, drawing parallels to previous controversies surrounding Meta's data practices. A few commenters are more optimistic, seeing potential for advancements in AR and expressing interest in the technical details of the data collection process. Several also discuss the challenges of processing and making sense of such a massive dataset, and the limitations of relying solely on first-person visual data for understanding human behavior.
Summary of Comments ( 205 )
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43095811
Hacker News users react to HP's acquisition of Humane's AI software with cautious optimism. Some express interest in the potential of the technology, particularly its integration with HP's hardware ecosystem. Others are more skeptical, questioning Humane's demonstrated value and suggesting the acquisition might be more about talent acquisition than the technology itself. Several commenters raise concerns about privacy given the always-on, camera-based nature of Humane's device, while others highlight the challenges of convincing consumers to adopt such a new form factor. A common sentiment is curiosity about how HP will integrate the software and whether they can overcome the hurdles Humane faced as an independent company. Overall, the discussion revolves around the uncertainties of the acquisition and the viability of Humane's technology in the broader market.
The Hacker News post titled "HP Acquires Humane's AI Software" (https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43095811) has generated a moderate amount of discussion, with a focus on the potential implications of the acquisition and skepticism about Humane's technology.
Several commenters express uncertainty about the value proposition of Humane's AI Pin, questioning its practicality and usefulness compared to existing smartphone technology. One commenter highlights the seemingly limited functionality demonstrated in available videos, suggesting the device might be more of a fashion accessory than a genuinely useful tool. This sentiment is echoed by others who doubt the device addresses a real need or offers significant advantages over current smartphone-based solutions.
A few commenters speculate about the reasons behind HP's acquisition, suggesting it might be a defensive move to avoid being left behind in the evolving AI landscape. Others propose that HP may be interested in specific software components or talent within Humane, rather than the AI Pin itself. The acquisition is seen as potentially beneficial for HP's long-term strategy, even if the AI Pin fails to gain traction in the market.
Some discussion revolves around the privacy implications of always-on devices like the AI Pin, with commenters expressing concerns about data collection and potential misuse. The reliance on cloud processing for functionality also raises questions about latency and dependence on a constant internet connection.
There is a general sense of skepticism about Humane's ability to deliver on its promises, with several commenters pointing to the lack of concrete information about the AI Pin's capabilities and the prolonged development timeline. The device's high price point is also mentioned as a potential barrier to adoption.
While there's some excitement about the potential of wearable AI, the overall tone of the comments is cautiously pessimistic, with many users questioning the viability of Humane's product and the rationale behind HP's acquisition. No one explicitly defends or champions the AI Pin, and the conversation largely revolves around speculation and doubt.