Rabbit r1 Revealed: The AI-Centric Device That's Actually an Android App

The Rabbit r1, a device centered around artificial intelligence (AI), has recently been revealed to be, in essence, an Android app. This discovery comes after tests by Mishaal Rahman from Android Authority, where they managed to install the Rabbit launcher APK on a Pixel 6a and found that the device's interface is essentially a customized Android app running on top of a modified AOSP (Android Open Source Project) firmware.

This revelation has raised questions about the innovation and uniqueness of these AI-centric gadgets, which are marketed as revolutionary devices that could replace smartphones. However, it appears that these devices do not offer much that current smartphones cannot already do.

Despite Rabbit's founder Jesse Lyu's claims that the large language model (LLM) runs entirely in the cloud and that the Rabbit r1 cannot be identified as an Android app due to the extensive customization of the AOSP firmware, the fact remains that the device is heavily reliant on Android technology.

This discovery has led to skepticism about the true capabilities and innovation of the Rabbit r1 and similar devices, such as Humane's AI Pin. Many experts, including Marques Brownlee, have expressed disappointment in these devices, with Brownlee even calling Humane's AI Pin "the worst product I've ever reviewed."

As for the Rabbit r1, the fact that its interface can be replicated on a smartphone by simply installing an APK raises concerns about the device's true value and potential to replace smartphones as we know them.

In conclusion, while the Rabbit r1 and similar devices present a novel concept centered on AI and the potential to replace smartphones, the recent revelation about their reliance on Android technology casts doubt on their ability to truly revolutionize the market.