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The Rabbit R1 update called rabbitOS 2 is here, and honestly, it needs all the help it can get. After launching as the first wearable AI device to massive hype, the R1 quickly became a cautionary tale about overpromising and underdelivering. Now Rabbit’s trying to fix things with a complete software overhaul.
What’s Actually New in This Rabbit R1 Update
The biggest change is a card-based interface that ditches the confusing voice-first system for something more intuitive. Instead of guessing commands, you can swipe through cards to find features like camera or translation tools. It’s basically admitting the original approach was broken.
The star feature is “Creations” with something called “vibe coding.” Users can describe a tool or game they want, and the AI generates it directly on the device. Want a simple calculator or Tetris clone? Just ask and wait a few minutes. It’s an interesting pivot from the original promise of seamless app integration to letting users build their own experiences.
The Rabbit R1 update also includes visual conversation flow, better touchscreen support, and improved gesture controls. These aren’t revolutionary features – they’re basic functionality that should have existed from day one.
The Numbers Tell the Real Story
Here’s the brutal reality: only 5,000 people out of 100,000 buyers still use their Rabbit R1 daily. That’s a 95% abandonment rate for a device that generated $20 million in sales. Even CEO Jesse Lyu admits there was a “big gap between the high expectations of our users and the original software experience we delivered.”
This Rabbit R1 update feels like damage control more than innovation. Similar AI hardware like the Humane AI Pin has faced the same problems – overhyped launches followed by user disappointment and mass returns.
Can Software Save Failed Hardware?
The fundamental question remains: why does this device need to exist? The Rabbit R1 update doesn’t change the fact that your phone already does most of these tasks better, faster, and more reliably. Dedicated AI hardware has struggled to find its purpose when smartphones can handle AI tasks just fine.
Rabbit is offering free global shipping through September, clearly hoping this software refresh can attract new buyers. But the company would probably be better served explaining why anyone needs a separate AI device when affordable smartwatches already offer voice commands, notifications, and useful functionality.
The Rabbit R1 update shows the company is still trying, which is more than some failed AI hardware makers can say. Whether rabbitOS 2 can resurrect a device with such fundamental issues remains to be seen.
The post Rabbit R1 Gets Major RabbitOS 2 Update – But Can Software Fix This Mess? appeared first on Phandroid.
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