HP Acquires Humane for $116M, Shuts Down AI Pin in Stunning Tech Shakeup!

HP has acquired Humane for $116 million, leading to the immediate discontinuation of its AI Pin wearable. The device will stop functioning entirely by February 28, 2025, leaving users without support or cloud access. HP plans to integrate Humane’s technology into its new AI division, HP IQ, focusing on AI innovation across PCs and smart devices.

HP Acquires Humane for $116M, Shuts Down AI Pin in Stunning Tech Shakeup!

In a dramatic twist, Humane—the ambitious AI startup that once promised to revolutionize personal technology—has been acquired by HP for a mere $116 million. This acquisition marks the end of Humane’s flagship product, the AI Pin, a wearable AI device that was supposed to replace smartphones but instead faced harsh criticism and sluggish adoption.

AI Pin Dead in the Water—Shutdown Date Announced

For those who believed in Humane’s vision and invested in the AI Pin, the clock is now ticking. The company has officially announced that the device will stop functioning entirely on February 28, 2025, at 12 PM PST. After this deadline, AI Pin users will no longer be able to make calls, send messages, interact with AI, or access cloud services. Humane has urged users to back up any necessary data before the shutdown, as customer support will also cease to exist on the same day.

What Went Wrong?

Humane, founded by ex-Apple veterans Bethany Bongiorno and Imran Chaudhri, raised over $230 million in funding and launched the AI Pin in April 2024 with high hopes. Marketed as a smartphone killer, the AI-powered wearable aimed to change how people interacted with technology. However, reality painted a different picture:

• Negative reviews flooded in, with users criticizing poor performance and clunky user experience.
• Sales tanked, with reports suggesting returns outpaced new purchases.
• A fire hazard warning was issued for the device’s charging case, further damaging its reputation.
• In October 2024, Humane slashed the AI Pin’s price by $200, a desperate attempt to salvage consumer interest—but it was too little, too late.

By mid-2024, the startup sought a buyer, initially aiming for a valuation between $750 million and $1 billion, but had to settle for the significantly lower $116 million price tag from HP.

HP’s Plans—AI Innovation or Another Failed Experiment?

While the AI Pin is dead, Humane’s technology isn’t. HP is set to integrate Humane’s engineers and product managers into its new AI-focused division, HP IQ. This unit will work on incorporating AI into HP’s product ecosystem, including PCs, printers, and other smart devices.

Additionally, HP has acquired Humane’s CosmOS AI operating system, a platform capable of running across multiple devices like cars, smart speakers, TVs, and Android phones. Whether HP can successfully leverage this technology or if it will fade into obscurity remains to be seen.

What This Means for the Future of AI Wearables

Humane’s AI Pin was one of the boldest attempts to challenge the smartphone’s dominance—but its failure underscores the immense challenges of breaking into the consumer tech space. The combination of hardware limitations, pricing missteps, and lack of a compelling use case sealed its fate. However, HP’s move suggests that AI-powered ecosystems are still a major focus for tech giants.

Will HP revive Humane’s AI-driven dreams in a new form, or is this just another failed attempt at wearable AI? Only time will tell, but for now, the AI Pin is officially dead.