Tab’s Ever-Present AI Pendant Secures Funding — Is It Really Necessary?

Tab's Ever-Present AI Pendant Secures Funding — Is It Really Necessary?

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With the growing popularity of large language models (LLMs), companies are now integrating them into various hardware. A standout example is Tab, a wearable AI startup that recently raised $1.9 million in seed funding, valuing the company at nearly $20 million.

Tab aims to introduce an AI pendant that you wear around your neck. This device listens to your conversations throughout the day and offers insights, acting much like a smart companion. Although it hasn’t shipped yet, it’s already drawing significant interest. Several venture capitalists and industry angels, including names from Caffeinated Capital and Vercel’s CEO Guillermo Rauch, have invested in this round of funding.

Tab joins the ranks of other noteworthy AI devices like Humane’s AI Pin and Rabbit’s r1 AI pocket companion.

What exactly does the Tab AI pendant do? Created by Avi Schiffmann, a Harvard dropout known for his platforms for COVID tracking and Ukrainian shelter home assistance, Tab is an always-on AI tool. It captures everyday conversations and sends the audio to your phone via Bluetooth. The data is uploaded to the cloud, where ChatGPT transcribes and analyzes it, offering insights through your smartphone.

Schiffmann describes Tab as an “intelligent sidekick” that’s always ready with ideas or encouragement. He clarifies that it’s not meant to be a work assistant, but rather a “super-intelligent” friend, therapist, or coach, providing valuable insights and support round the clock.

Schiffmann began developing this technology over a year ago and has created a prototype that resembles a mini version of Google Nest. The device is available for pre-order at $600, with shipping expected in the second half of 2024.

While the concept of an AI companion sounds promising, it raises privacy concerns. The device’s success will depend on people’s willingness to wear it constantly and have their conversations recorded for analysis. Schiffmann assures that the company won’t store or share the captured data and will offer a button to turn the device off when needed.

The bigger question is whether people will embrace the idea of always-on AI companionship. This device could become as normalized as camera phones did, but only time will tell if Tab can achieve that.

Tab isn’t the only AI hardware in development. Rabbit recently unveiled r1, a voice-activated device that simplifies tasks like searching information and managing online transactions. Additionally, Meta’s smart glasses and Humane’s AI Pin aim to replace smartphones by using gestures, voice, and a camera to provide contextual information, with shipments starting in March.

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