Introduction:
The Rabbit R1 is a pocket AI companion that promises impressive Vision features and accurate translation capabilities. However, despite its strengths, it falls short in terms of performance, Spotify playback, and AI assistant functionality. Let’s take a closer look at the Rabbit R1’s features and drawbacks to determine if it’s worth investing in.
Rabbit R1: Price and Specs
The Rabbit R1 is priced at $199 and boasts the following specifications: MediaTek MT6765 processor, 4GB of RAM, 128GB of storage, a 2.88-inch touchscreen, and an 8MP camera. While the CEO, Jesse Lyu, claims that no subscription is required, there are some considerations to keep in mind. While the Rabbit R1 can connect to Wi-Fi, it faces difficulties connecting to public places that require a login page. However, it supports a SIM card tray for 4G LTE connectivity, allowing users to opt for a data-only plan. Additionally, it can be connected to a phone’s hotspot. It’s worth noting that the Meta RayBan Smart Glasses offers similar features without any subscription fees.
Rabbit R1: What I Like About It
The Rabbit R1 has some noteworthy strengths, particularly in its Vision features. It can recommend recipes based on the ingredients it ‘sees’, providing inspiration for cooking enthusiasts. Moreover, it excels at describing objects and people accurately, even pointing out details in the background. The most impressive feature is its ability to translate a Spanish menu into English seamlessly, making it a game-changer for frequent travelers. Another useful feature is its ability to summarize lengthy articles or messages, saving users time and effort. Additionally, the nostalgic design of the Rabbit R1 appeals to millennials due to its resemblance to 90s pocket toys. Its durability is another advantage, with no scratches or fingerprints visible after rough handling.
Rabbit R1: What’s ‘Eh’ About It
While some users may find the scroll wheel and the need to shake the device to access the Settings menu off-putting, others enjoy the tactile experience it provides. The touchscreen, while present, can only be used to access the virtual keyboard and is intentionally limited to promote reliance on the scroll wheel. While the Rabbit R1 responds quickly to most queries, there are occasional delays with the Vision feature. Furthermore, the device’s response times can be inconsistent, occasionally pausing for several seconds before continuing. When it comes to conversational translation, the push-to-talk side button must be used consistently to ensure accurate translation, often resulting in missed portions of the conversation. While it offers sound recording capabilities and stores notes in a companion webpage, these features are not particularly noteworthy.
Rabbit R1: What I Dislike About It
One of the major selling points of the Rabbit R1 is its large action model (LAM), which allows it to perform tasks on behalf of users. However, in practice, the LAM falls short. The Rabbit R1 claims to connect with DoorDash and Uber accounts, but ordering food or hailing a ride proved to be problematic due to errors. Spotify playback is inconsistent and often fails to respond to commands correctly. The handwritten-chart-to-digital-spreadsheet feature was also disappointing, as it struggled to accurately convert handwritten tables into digital format. Additionally, the Rabbit R1 requires specific prompts to execute tasks, making natural, free-flowing conversations challenging. It cannot set alarms or timers, lacks phone connectivity, and does not have an attachment feature for outfits without pockets.
Rabbit R1: Performance and Battery Life
The Rabbit R1 performs well in terms of translation, search queries, and conversation with the AI assistant. However, the Vision feature can be slightly slower. Spotify playback is often problematic and unreliable. The DoorDash and Uber user interfaces take around 40 seconds to appear, causing delays. After a recent update, the Rabbit R1’s battery life has improved significantly, lasting a day and several hours with heavy use and up to two days with light use.
Conclusion
Considering the Rabbit R1’s current functionalities and drawbacks, it is difficult to recommend the device. While it has strengths in its Vision features, the presence of alternative devices like the Meta RayBan Smart Glasses that provide similar capabilities without the same issues makes it hard to justify the investment. The Rabbit R1’s dysfunctional apps, poor Spotify experience, and limited functionality outweigh its positive aspects. Users may prefer to wait for future updates or explore other AI companions that offer more reliable performance and a wider range of features.