As I’ve been using the Rabbit R1 over the past week, I’ve gotten the same questions multiple times: What is that thing, and what does it do? And each time, I struggled to find a concise answer.
That’s because the Rabbit R1 isn’t your typical tech product. It’s not a phone, but it’s meant to accomplish some of the same things as your phone — only faster and more naturally. It’s still far from living up to that promise, which you can read more about in my review. The device is expected to evolve and improve over time, but I don’t recommend buying one right now.Â
The Rabbit R1 doesn’t run on a conventional operating system with apps. Instead, the software is powered by AI that’s been trained to use apps and services on your behalf. Rabbit founder and CEO Jesse Lyu likens it to handing your phone to a friend to order takeout for you.
Here’s a breakdown of what to know about the Rabbit R1.
Read more: Apple’s AI Plans for the iPhone: What to Expect From iOS 18 and More
How much does the Rabbit R1 cost?
The Rabbit R1 costs $199 and doesn’t require a subscription. But you’ll also need a data plan for the Rabbit R1 if you want to use it on the go, unless you tether it to your phone’s mobile hotspot. Some of the services you’ll likely want to connect to the R1, like Spotify and Midjourney, require a subscription.Â
What comes in the box?
Other than the device itself, you’ll get a clear protective travel case that can double as a kickstand for the Rabbit R1. It kind of resembles a cassette tape case, which is fitting given the Rabbit R1’s retro design. The device doesn’t come with a charging cable, but you can use any USB-C cable to power it up.Â
The back of the Rabbit R1
What can the Rabbit R1 do?
Right now, the Rabbit R1 can answer questions, call an Uber, order DoorDash, play music on Spotify, translate speech, generate images on Midjourney, identify nearby objects with its camera and record voice memos. Your phone can already do these things, but Rabbit…
Read the full article here
