Hands-On Review: Rabbit R1 – A Promising AI Assistant or Just a Gimmick?
Introducing the Rabbit R1: A Retro-Inspired AI Assistant
Are you tired of navigating through countless apps on your smartphone to get things done? The Rabbit R1 promises to simplify your life by allowing you to use your voice to command AI agents to handle tasks for you. But does this cute retro orange gadget live up to the hype?
Priced at $199, the Rabbit R1 is now available for order. As a tech writer who has spent several hours with this device, I can attest to its charm. From searching the web and playing music to ordering rideshares and food, the Rabbit R1 offers a range of functionalities. Additionally, you can use it for note-taking, translations, and even creating generative AI images on the fly.
However, it’s important to note that the Rabbit R1 is still in its early stages of development, and not all features work flawlessly. While the device has its strengths, there are some areas that could be improved upon. Here are my initial impressions of the Rabbit R1:
Slick Retro Design, Some Odd UI Choices
Despite its lightweight design, the Rabbit R1 features a decent-sized 2.88-inch touch display and an analog scroll wheel for easy navigation. Interacting with the device may take some getting used to, as certain functions, such as making selections, are primarily done through the push-to-talk button rather than the touchscreen. Additionally, the built-in keyboard for tasks like entering Wi-Fi passwords may be challenging to use due to the small keys.
Search is Speedy and Current
The Rabbit R1 excels in handling voice search queries promptly. Whether you’re looking for the latest news updates or sports scores, the device provides spoken and written responses in a timely manner. The inclusion of weather icons for forecasts adds to the overall user experience.
Vision Works (Pretty) Well
One of the standout features of the Rabbit R1 is its Vision capability, which utilizes the built-in camera to identify objects and provide information. While there may be some inaccuracies in object recognition, the device offers insightful responses, especially when identifying plants and suggesting cocktail recipes based on visual cues.
Ordering Ubers and DoorDash: A Definite Work in Progress
The Rabbit R1’s integration with services like DoorDash for voice-activated food ordering shows promise but may require further refinement. While the device can place orders on your behalf, the process may be time-consuming and prone to errors. Similarly, ordering rides through Uber may encounter issues with confirmation.
Your New iPod?
With its scroll wheel and Spotify integration, the Rabbit R1 evokes nostalgia for the classic iPod. While the device can play music upon voice command, the Spotify integration may be limited in functionality, such as accessing playlists and skipping tracks.
Meet Your New Meeting Assistant
The Rabbit R1 offers meeting recording and generative AI summary features, adding a layer of productivity to its capabilities. While the device can provide summaries of recorded meetings, the lack of transcription may be a drawback for some users.
Generative AI is Fun but a Bit of a Dead End
The Rabbit R1’s collaboration with Midjourney allows for on-the-spot image generation, offering creative possibilities. However, the inability to email or save generated images directly from the device may limit the utility of this feature.
Rabbit R1 Outlook
While the Rabbit R1 presents an intriguing glimpse into the future of AI technology in a compact design, there are areas that require improvement. Concerns about battery life and seamless feature integration may impact the overall user experience. As the device continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how it competes with advancements in smartphone AI technology.
In conclusion, the Rabbit R1 offers a unique blend of retro aesthetics and AI functionality, making it a compelling option for tech enthusiasts. However, further refinement and feature enhancements are needed to fully justify its $199 price tag. Stay tuned for our full review of the Rabbit R1 as we delve deeper into its capabilities and performance.
