Turns out the Rabbit R1 was just an Android app all along

Over astatine Android Authority, Mishaal Rahman managed to download Rabbit’s launcher APK connected a Google Pixel 6A. With a small tweaking, he was capable to tally nan app arsenic if it were connected Rabbit’s ain device. Using nan volume-up cardinal successful spot of nan R1’s azygous hardware button, he was capable to group up an relationship and commencement asking it questions, conscionable arsenic if he was utilizing nan $199 R1.

Oh boy.

Rahman points retired that nan app astir apt doesn’t connection each of nan aforesaid functionality arsenic nan R1. In his words: “the Rabbit R1’s launcher app is intended to beryllium preinstalled successful nan firmware and beryllium granted respective privileged, system-level permissions — only immoderate of which we were capable to assistance — truthful immoderate of nan functions would apt neglect if we tried.” But nan truth that nan package runs connected a midrange telephone from almost 2 years agone suggests that it has much successful communal pinch a plain ‘ol Android app than not.

The R1 isn’t alone; Humane’s AI pin appears to tally connected a version of Android’s open-source software, too. But it’s nan R1 successful nan basking spot correct now arsenic nan first reviews person started to trickle retired — and they’re not great, Bob. Rabbit issued its first package update earlier coming to reside immoderate complaints, including a fast-draining battery. That rumor seems to beryllium amended controlled post-update; my R1’s idle artillery capacity is vastly improved aft downloading nan update this morning.

But nan bigger problem is that nan R1 conscionable doesn’t do capable useful things to warrant its beingness when, you know, phones exist. We’ve reached retired to Rabbit for remark connected this, and we’ll update this article if nan institution has a statement. In nan meantime, it looks for illustration this AI gadget could person conscionable been an app aft all.