On February 28, a significant chapter in the story of the Humane Ai Pin came to a close, but not without a glimmer of hope. Shortly after noon Pacific time, Humane, the company behind this polarizing device, switched off its servers, rendering the $700 gadget virtually useless—essentially 'bricking' it. However, in a moment of unexpected revelation during a Discord voice chat dubbed “The death of Ai Pin,” a dedicated hacker shared a crucial secret: he possessed the codes necessary to bypass Humane’s stringent encryption.
The Humane Ai Pin was designed as a revolutionary piece of AI-enhanced hardware, aiming to redefine how we interact with technology. This compact, clip-on device was intended to perform various functions akin to a smartphone, including taking photos, displaying text messages, and managing an AI chatbot, all enhanced by Humane's promised holographic laser displays. However, upon its launch in April 2024, the Pin faced immediate backlash. Users quickly discovered that its core features were underwhelming and often dysfunctional, leading to widespread disappointment.
By February 2025, less than a year post-launch, Humane announced it would cease operations and shut down services for the Ai Pin, even processing more returns than sales. Refunds were limited to those who had purchased the device within the last 90 days, leaving many early adopters devastated. In the final week leading up to the shutdown, the community surrounding the Ai Pin experienced a rollercoaster of emotions, expressing their grief and frustration across social media platforms like Reddit and Discord.
Among these users was a passionate advocate known as @23box_ (or simply “23”), who had been a vocal supporter of the device since its inception. He lamented the abrupt end of a device he had integrated into his daily life. “This is a super unique device that we used almost every day for almost a year,” he expressed, hoping for a brighter future for the Ai Pin. Before the official Discord server was taken down, 23 proactively created a new refuge for fellow users, named reHumane, where they could collaborate on keeping the device alive without interference from Humane or HP.
Another enthusiastic user, Marcel, embraced the challenge as an opportunity for innovation. With a history of DIY tech projects, he was eager to dismantle the device to explore its inner workings. The Ai Pin operated on an Android-based system, suggesting potential for customization through debugging and app installation. However, accessing this functionality required a wired connection, which was complicated by the device's lack of visible ports. Eventually, users on the Discord channel discovered hidden DIM connectors beneath a logo sticker, but the connectors were minuscule—barely 1 millimeter apart—making it difficult to connect to a computer.
Despite the daunting task, Marcel and other tinkerers persevered, crafting their own connectors from repurposed USB cables to establish a link to their computers. However, the challenge escalated when Humane announced plans to brick the device entirely, rendering the operating system inaccessible. The encryption on the chip posed a significant barrier, leaving Marcel and his peers in a frustrating standstill.
In response to these challenges, the community rallied together, sharing knowledge and resources. Brendan Brannock, a network engineer from Florida, compiled a document to assist others in their tinkering efforts. He even designed a 3D model for a connection base, allowing more users to engage in the project. Brannock, known for his adventurous spirit in technology, saw the Ai Pin as another frontier to explore. “The goal for any device like this is to make it do more,” he remarked, underscoring the community's drive to maximize their investment.
As the shutdown date loomed, users on the reHumane Discord urged Humane to release an over-the-air (OTA) update that would grant them access to the device's operating system. Unfortunately, Humane did not respond to these requests. However, in a surprising turn of events, Marcel soon revealed that an anonymous insider from Humane had provided him and a few others with access codes to use Android Debug Bridge tools on the Ai Pin, thereby circumventing the encryption.
In an electrifying moment during a Discord voice chat, Marcel shared his screen, showcasing the Ai Pin’s laser projector playing the iconic music video for Nomico's “Bad Apple.” The revelation ignited excitement within the community, marking a turning point for the once-disheartened users. As Marcel noted, "This has been a very cool send off from Humane services, and hopefully a new era for these devices."
With newfound access to the device, the aspirations of the Ai Pin users began to take shape. Some envisioned ambitious projects, while others, like Marcel and Brannock, sought to utilize the device as a smartphone alternative that fosters more direct human interaction. “There’s a reason we got these devices,” 23 reflected. “We want to get back to where we were as a society before we had to stare at screens.”
As the Discord channel transitioned from “The death of Ai Pin” to “We’re so back,” it symbolized not just a resurgence of hope but also a testament to the resilience of a community committed to innovation. In the face of adversity, these users transformed a perceived failure into a collaborative opportunity for exploration and creativity, breathing new life into the Humane Ai Pin.
