- Rabbit R1 AI box is actually an Android app in a limited $200 box, running on AOSP without Google Play.
- Rabbit Inc. is unhappy about details of its tech stack being public, threatening action against unauthorized emulators.
- AOSP is a logical choice for mobile hardware as it provides essential functionalities without the need for Google Play.
The issue isn’t even with what it runs on, albeit selling it as specialized hardware is really bizarre, when it’s just a glorified embedded platform with a scroll wheel
The company is known for making quirky hardware, usually niche musical instruments with creatively chosen knobs, switches, cute UIs and such.
They figured they could ride the AI hype wave based on their expensive niche audience but it’s blowing up in their face.
You say “bizarre” they say “marketing strategy”… They chose to do this knowing people wouldn’t be milked $200 for an app, but if they make it look like a device, the sheep will be lured
You should see the rest of the overpriced toys these guys have marketed as genius over the years.
Is that not custom hardware? I really don’t see any issue with how they built this thing. The issue is what they built.