The Humane AI pin, Rabbit R1, and Meta Sunglasses were anticipated to herald a new era of AI devices. However, their launch disappointed due to being unfinished, with key features promised as “coming soon.” This raises the question: do we truly need AI gadgets, or can we utilize AI from our smartphones instead? To address this, I undertook the challenge of replicating these AI gadgets’ features using existing AI apps for smartphones.
In this comparison, I’ll explore the various features offered by these dedicated AI gadgets and identify AI apps that can provide a similar experience on your phone. I’ll also assess their performance in specific tasks.
Asking Questions Using Voice Commands
The primary utility of these AI devices is their ability to respond to voice commands, providing nearly accurate answers to queries. The AI apps discussed here offer similar functionality. Apps like Gemini, ChatGPT, and Copilot support voice commands, eliminating the need for typing on your phone’s keyboard. ChatGPT Voice even allows you to choose from different voice models.
Gemini on Android offers unique features such as setting reminders, timers, reading recent emails, sending messages, and making calls, which are currently exclusive to Android devices. These functions cannot be performed on iOS devices or with other AI apps. Some actions in Gemini prompt Android’s Google Assistant to execute certain tasks automatically, as shown in the screenshots below.
In the early stages of AI development, both AI apps and hardware devices may occasionally provide incorrect answers due to overconfidence or hallucinations. Similar to AI gadgets, these apps also log every conversation, allowing users to revisit them later, akin to the Humane AI pin.
Carrying Out Visual Searches
Moreover, like AI gadgets, AI apps can conduct visual searches of the surroundings using the phone’s camera. This feature is available in Gemini and Copilot. Simply tap the camera icon, take a photo, and ask your question. You can also upload images from your device’s library for visual searches. In my experience, Gemini and Copilot provided satisfactory responses. However, ChatGPT requires a subscription to ChatGPT Plus for certain features.
Gemini and Copilot are both compatible with iOS, allowing iPhone users to conduct visual searches effortlessly.
Translating Conversations in Real-Time
Unlike the Humane AI Pin and Rabbit R1, which offer live translation services for various languages, the mentioned AI apps can translate words, phrases, or texts but cannot perform real-time conversation translation.
Translating conversations with tools like ChatGPT isn’t straightforward. For example, ChatGPT will respond in the same language you’re using, and the conversation transcript will also be in that language. To translate, you’d need to specify “Translate x to English” to get reasonably accurate results.
Samsung devices have recently introduced AI features for live call translation, but their accuracy can vary, as evidenced by the inconsistent conversation transcript. Additionally, Google Translate and the iPhone’s Translate app are reliable options for image and text translations. There is potential for Google Gemini to support Interpreter mode in the future.
Working with Third-Party Apps
The Rabbit R1 offers interaction with services like Spotify, Doordash, Uber, and Midjourney. However, instead of direct integration, Rabbit accesses these services using your login information. It’s worth noting that none of the AI apps can currently interact directly with third-party services.
While ChatGPT supports plugins, integrating them on mobile devices is not straightforward. On the other hand, Gemini has extensions that integrate it with various Google services. You can inquire about your data in Google Drive, summarize emails, or YouTube videos. Recently, Gemini received a YouTube Music extension, allowing it to play music and offer recommendations based on your mood.
Creating AI Artwork
The Rabbit R1’s integration with Midjourney enables AI image creation through voice commands, which is quite impressive. However, you must visit Discord to download the image, rather than doing it directly from the device. Additionally, a Midjourney subscription is required to begin. Similar functionality is available on all three AI apps, allowing you to download images instantly.
Copilot and ChatGPT both utilize DALL E 3 to generate images, while Gemini does so independently. All these apps support voice commands, enabling you to create photos without touching your phone’s screen. While Copilot and Gemini offer image generation in their free versions, a subscription is required for ChatGPT to access this feature.
I observed that the free image generation produces somewhat blurry and unrealistic results compared to the paid version. Images generated by ChatGPT and Gemini Advanced appeared sharper and more detailed than those from Copilot and the free version of Gemini. It’s important to note that Gemini does not create images of human subjects due to concerns about diverse image creation.
Instant Access to AI
Since these devices are designed specifically for AI functionality, using any one of them provides instant access to an AI chatbot with the press of a button. This eliminates the need to unlock your phone and open a separate AI app, a convenience that is difficult to replicate. However, there are a few methods to quickly access AI apps on your phone that I have discovered.
Some Android devices offer a back tap gesture feature that allows you to open any app on your phone with a simple tap on the back of the device. This can be used to quickly launch an AI app. Samsung devices also allow you to customize the side key to launch a specific app, so if you own a Samsung phone, you can give it a try. iPhone users have the option to create a shortcut that can be triggered instantly by tapping the back of the device. We have included an iCloud link for a shortcut to trigger ChatGPT Voice, which you can test out yourself.
Pricing vs Subscription
The primary concern people have with these AI devices is the additional cost. The Humane AI pin starts at $700 and requires a separate monthly subscription, while the Rabbit R1 is priced at $200 but also requires its own data plan outside of Wi-Fi.
Using your phone eliminates these additional costs. All the mentioned apps are available for free, with most AI features accessible in the free version, like:
- Object detection and scene analysis (Gemini and Copilot only)
- Generative responses
- Access to real time data (Gemini and Copilot only)
- AI image generation (Gemini and Copilot only)
- Support for voice commands
- Conversation history
However, you can opt for premium subscriptions to unlock the apps’ full potential, including access to the latest models, priority access during peak hours, faster responses, and upcoming features. The premium subscriptions for GPT Plus and Copilot Premium cost $20 each. Gemini Advanced also costs the same, and it includes 2TB of Google Cloud storage.
Do We Really Need AI Gadgets?
While the concept of AI devices is appealing, it often lacks practicality outside of specific scenarios. How frequently do you witness people using voice commands in public? Rarely, as relying on your phone’s accuracy and risking embarrassment by trying again is not ideal.
Moreover, the time it takes for these devices to respond to queries or complete tasks is often overlooked. Waiting nervously for a minute or two for your device to translate or generate an image, only for it to potentially provide an incorrect result, can be frustrating. In contrast, AI apps are quicker and more accurate, with the exception of Copilot, which can be slow to respond.
Although AI gadgets reduce smartphone distractions, integrating AI into existing devices like headphones or smartwatches would be more preferable. Recently, Nothing introduced ChatGPT support for their latest Ear and Ear (a) buds, enabling users to trigger ChatGPT voice without waking their device. This is a trend I hope to see more devices adopt. As previously demonstrated, you can achieve everything promised by these AI gadgets on your phone with the help of AI apps.
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