- Rabbit R1, AI gadget, runs on Android app, not requiring “very bespoke AOSP” firmware as claimed by Rabbit.
- Rabbit R1 launcher app can run on existing Android phones, not needing system-level permissions for core functionality.
- Rabbit R1 firmware analysis shows minimal modifications to standard AOSP, contradicting claims of custom hardware necessity by Rabbit.
Hopes were set unreasonably high because the hardware designer has a great reputation. And the hardware seems well made (for the price) and certainly tries out some interesting new ideas. I love how the camera is physically blocked while not in use for example.
The software team has let this product down. Not surprising, but dissapointing.
The hardware team made a device that just couldn’t be turned into a good product no matter what the software team did. None of those AI-in-a-box devices are good products because they simply don’t have a reason to exist. Everything they can do, phones can do. If you have a phone, you don’t need one of those AI boxes, however if you buy one of those AI assistant things, you’ll still need a phone (which, again, can completely replace the AI box with no loss in functionality).
Camera shutters aren’t new…
Automatic physical camera shutters? Only ones I can think of on phones are pop-up selfie cameras like the LG Wing and OnePlus 7. LG doesn’t make phones any more and OnePlus dropped the pop-up camera in their next phone, and haven’t brought it back.
Some phones and PDAs from decades ago had a “jog dial” on the side, like a mouse scroll wheel.
It was so easy to roll through menus and just push it to click.
The separate roller and button arrangement this has seems such a poor choice in comparison.