HP has moved decisively by acquiring key assets from Humane, the startup behind the ambitious but troubled Gadget AI pin. The $116 million deal closes a high-profile venture that did not live up to early hype, yet it unlocks potential to weave artificial intelligence into the DNA of future devices. The captured technologies include software tools, development expertise, and strategic design concepts that show how AI can be embedded in everyday hardware without forcing users into beta tests. For HP, the move signals a new emphasis on software-enabled intelligence that can ride the company’s existing hardware platforms, from laptops to office printers and networked devices. By absorbing Humane’s team and intellectual property, HP gains a faster path to releasing AI features that operate reliably on devices without requiring constant cloud access. This strategic pivot aligns with HP’s recent investments in neural-network optimization and on-device inference, aimed at delivering responsive AI that respects privacy and power constraints.
Humane unveiled the AI pin in 2024, pitched as a smartphone killer with voice and gesture controls, cloud neural network access, and a compact form. Still, the $699 device faced harsh feedback for overheating, laggy interfaces, and safety concerns. Critics labeled the gadget an impractical replacement for a phone and an expensive novelty. Early hype collided with real-world use, and investment activity around the project reflected a cautious mood. Humane had attracted hundreds of millions in funding before the product launch, and by mid-2024 investors recalibrated expectations, with the startup reportedly valued near 1 billion dollars. In hindsight, the AI pin served as a testing ground for intelligent interface ideas that can be repurposed into broader AI-enabled hardware rather than sold as a standalone device.
As of the end of winter 2025, Humane will halt server support for its devices. After that date the AI pin becomes a standalone gadget with no cloud connectivity for calls, messages, or real-time AI updates. Users are urged to back up data such as photos, notes, and app configurations, because these items may disappear when service ends. The Humane founders, former Apple engineers, will lead HP’s new department dedicated to integrating AI across PCs, printers, and smart-office systems. HP executives emphasize that the goal is to create a cohesive experience where AI feels invisible—present, but not intrusive—across a range of everyday products.
Cosmos, HP’s platform OS, centers on AI agents that were developed by Humane after the company shifted away from heavy hardware. HP plans to bake AI into ordinary devices, so users enjoy smarter performance without dealing with complex setups. In 2023 HP rolled out a PC line that used processors optimized for neural networks, a move that foreshadowed the deeper integration now possible with Humane assets. The acquisition strengthens HP in a market where software-driven AI matters as much as hardware, challenging rivals such as Microsoft and Apple by delivering reliable intelligence through everyday tools rather than through a single breakthrough device. The setback seen with the AI pin becomes a turning point: HP aims to reduce friction, simplify AI-driven tasks, and help people experience smarter technology in daily routines rather than overhauling their gadgets.
Tech observers in boardrooms and coding labs alike note this deal as evidence that AI is moving from a flashy concept to a practical capability that should work smoothly across devices. HP’s strategy becomes a reminder that success in AI hardware today relies on robust software integration, predictable performance, and user trust. With Humane’s software-driven approach joining HP’s hardware strengths, the company is positioned to deliver more natural AI features that help people get things done, from drafting documents to coordinating devices in a shared workspace. Analysts emphasize that this kind of collaboration can accelerate adoption by lowering barriers between tech promise and everyday use.
HP’s next steps involve rolling out Cosmos-based AI features across enterprise and consumer devices in the coming months, testing with broad user groups, and keeping privacy and security at the forefront of all integrations.