The hardware that was going to revolutionize the technology and artificial intelligence industry has died a few days after its launch. He Rabbit R1 has been on everyone’s lips for months, consolidating itself as the definitive device for bringing AI to everyday life. What was launched as a very interesting Kickstarter project has been dismantled in a matter of days. In fact, they have unmasked him in less than a week.
The manager has been Mishaal Rahman in Android Authoritywho after a few days tinkering with the Rabbit R1 has managed to modify the APK from your launcher and make it run on a Pixel 6a. Furthermore, he has assured that Rabbit OS and its entire interface is nothing more than an Android app.
And for weeks it has been questioned whether a 200 euro device was really necessary to do what the Rabbit R1 does, as many claimed that the device could be replaced by an application. Well, finally the Rabbit R1 seems to be a small mobile running an Android app.
The Rabbit R1 is just a pretty piece of hardware
Rahman has made it clear. After some minor tweaks has managed to make the entire interface of a Rabbit R1 run on an Android mobile. It didn’t take weeks of research, just a few days to modify an APK and install it on a Pixel 6a. After doing so, you have been able to set up an account on Rabbit OS and ask your AI assistant a question just like any user who has spent 200 euros.
Therefore, this milestone confirms that the Rabbit R1 is a dispensable piece of hardware, and that could have been launched as an app to be enjoyed on any smartphone. A specific device was not necessary, it was enough to publish the application they had developed as an ‘operating system’ in the iOS and Android stores.
In fact, users have already started canceling orders for the Rabbit R1 Worldwide. Not only because it is an app encapsulated in beautiful hardware, but because promises are not coming at the rate expected.
The company made it clear from the beginning that the Rabbit R1 could not run apps, but that they were working on a host of agreements to support it through services. How many do you currently have? Four: Spotify, DoorDash, Uber and Midjourney. There is nothing more and, after its deflated launch, it is not unreasonable to think that interest will dilute and end without many more options.
After Mishaal’s article, the company was quick to respond with the following statements about its device, the software it runs and how the language model (LLM) is executed in the cloud to try to justify that a specific device is necessary.
Rabbit R1 is not an Android app. We are aware that there are some unofficial Rabbit OS website/app emulators. We understand the passion people have to try our AI and LAM instead of waiting for their R1 to arrive. That said, to clear up any misunderstandings and set the record straight, Rabbit OS and LAM run in the cloud with heavily customized AOSP and lower level firmware modifications, hence a local pirated APK without the OS and endpoints suitable cloud providers will not be able to access our service. Rabbit OS is customized for R1 and we do not support third-party clients. Using a pirated APK or web client carries significant risks; Malicious actors are known to publish hacked apps that steal your data. For this reason, we recommend that users avoid these pirated Rabbit OS applications. (Translated)
Rabbit Statements
Everything is looking pretty bad for Rabbit Inc., since the R1 reviews are supporting the theory that there was no need for a 200 euro device. Its main attraction is its language model (LAM) and the way of interacting with the AI, but it does not seem to be so interesting as to carry another device on its back, which also, as has been shown, is completely expendable.
