Humane, an artificial intelligence (AI) startup founded by former Apple designers Imran Chaudhri and Bethany Bongiorno, has officially introduced its first product five years after the company’s inception.

Priced at $699, the Humane AI Pin is a revolutionary device designed to potentially replace smartphones. Boasting voice controls for information search, texting, and calls, it also features a compact laser projector, turning your palm into a miniature screen to display the time, date, and nearby information.

Imran Chaudhri emphasized the privacy aspect, stating, “There are no wake words, so it’s not always listening or always recording.” The device remains inactive until the user engages with it through voice, touch, gesture, or the laser ink display.

Unlike smartwatches, the Humane AI Pin requires a $24 monthly data subscription to T-Mobile, providing autonomy as it is not tethered to a smartphone.

Humane secured over $200 million in a $100 million financing round in March, with support from influential figures such as OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff. Pre-orders for the Humane AI Pin are set to commence on November 16.

Powered by a Qualcomm chipset, the AI Pin boasts a built-in speaker and camera, activated with a light flash. It can capture photos or videos, accessible via Humane’s web app. Real-time language translation, access to AI services from Microsoft, Google, and OpenAI, and features like music requests and calendar summaries enhance its functionality.

The Humane AI Pin marks a significant leap in AI technology, promising to redefine the way users interact with devices and access information seamlessly.