The Rabbit R1 is not the most intuitive or speedy device. It’s basically a box that does not do much more than the ChatGPT app. BUT. It has no social media. It doesn’t beg you to scroll. There is no dopamine. It’s a chill friend compared to your phone that is screaming for attention.
I find myself relaxed holding a device that’s on my terms. Similar to the way an Amazon Echo sits on the shelf until you ask it for something. It’s passive.
My instinct is that the world will not be drawn to a second non-wearable device. The Rabbit won’t pull the world to its lagging charm. But the iPhone will start to dim the lights and sirens. The screen won’t be needed as much. We’ll use Large Action Models (as Rabbit calls them) to engage with our apps, using the new Siri.
Rabbit’s hype cycle might go down as the shortest ever. But I need to shout out that they are not wrong. I think holding the Rabbit R1 is worth it alone. It feels healthier than a phone.
Satya Nadella said the R1 launch was the best since the iPhone and it’s the future of mobile. That’s high praise, and I agree. Even if the R1 won’t be the way we get there.
It’s worth watching the launch video:
It’s also worth watching Satya Nadella’s reaction to the R1. I agree with him and love that he was so honest with his response.
And of course, it’s worth watching Marques Brownlee’s scathing review that brings it all back down to earth.
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