Two former Apple employees present the AI ​​button called “Button” | News

In the search for new product categories, numerous manufacturers have chosen the AI ​​pin as a possible solution – some even predicting that this could one day make smartphones obsolete. Apple is also reportedly working on such badges, although they are said to be pure iPhone accessories and not an independent device. Now another start-up is speaking out, founded by two former Apple developers. They most recently worked in the Vision Pro team, but now want to try it with their own hardware.

Visual: iPod shuffle
Visually, the pin is reminiscent of an iPod shuffle, but otherwise has little in common with the former music player. The button with the product name “Button” has a built-in speaker, but can also connect to earphones or smart glasses via Bluetooth. Unlike previous AI wearables such as the Humane Ai Pin, it does not listen permanently, but only when the user actively presses the button. That is exactly the central difference that the founders emphasize, because they want to offer more privacy. On its own website, the start-up promises answers in around half a second and expressly describes the button as a device that was developed from the ground up for “Voice AI”.

But why additional hardware?
In the Wired interview, one of the two founders explicitly says that the iPhone will not disappear, because the button should rather be a complementary device. The description also only speaks of a “companion device for your phone and laptop”. The actual answer to the question of why it shouldn’t just be an app is rather thin. It is said that today’s devices are still built for the pre-AI era, while the button works more directly, quickly and intentionally.

Execution of external models
From what we know about the badge so far, it seems to be little more than a device that addresses known AI models – without local execution. Here you can actually ask yourself whether the approach really offers added value. For now, the button will only appear in the USA, starting in December at a price of $179. “Button AI Pro” for $7.99 per month also allows you to use it without your own API keys.