The world of AI-powered hardware devices has seen its share of high-profile stumbles recently. Humane’s much-hyped Ai Pin and Rabbit’s R1 handheld both faced scathing reviews upon launch, with critics questioning their value and utility. However, a new player is entering the fray with a different approach – Iyo, a startup incubated within Alphabet’s X “moonshot factory”, is gearing up to launch its Iyo One AI earbuds later this year.
Unlike the Ai Pin, which attempted to create an entirely new device category in the form of an AI lapel pin, Iyo is integrating its technology into the already massively popular wireless earbud form factor. This builds on years of consumer familiarity with digital assistants like Alexa and Siri being integrated into headphones.
Key details about the Iyo One include:
- Pricing of $599 for the WiFi model and $699 for the cellular version (which will require a carrier plan)
- 16 hours of battery life when used in Bluetooth mode connected to a phone
- Primary value as a high-quality set of wireless earbuds, with AI capabilities as an add-on rather than the sole feature
- Iyo is avoiding the subscription model used by the Ai Pin, which CEO Jason Rugolo believes is not customer-friendly
Rugolo, who founded Iyo within Google back in 2019 before spinning it out, believes the key to success is delivering immediate value to customers rather than just presenting a platform for future potential. “People don’t buy platforms,” he said. “They buy products that do super useful stuff for them.”
Still, challenges remain for any new entrant in the crowded wireless earbud space. Iyo will have to prove its AI features are compelling enough to sway customers from established players like Apple, Samsung, and others, while justifying a significantly higher price point than many competitor products.
The coming launch of the Iyo One will be an important test of whether the stumbles of the Ai Pin and R1 reflect the current limitations of AI in consumer hardware or simply flawed executions of the concept. By focusing on a proven form factor and immediate utility, Iyo may have a better shot at gaining a foothold. But in the fast-moving world of AI, only real-world performance and customer reception will determine whether Iyo’s approach pays off.