Humane's AI gadget plans include becoming an MVNO

Secretive AI hardware startup Humane is getting ready to officially unveil its AI Pin next month, and I’ve got an interesting tidbit that tells us more about the way the device connects to the internet, and what that means for Humane’s business.

Leading up to the November 9 announcement, Humane has been slowly lifting the curtain, giving us a first look at the hardware at a Paris Fashion Week event, and also hinting at some of the device’s features. Among the revelations: Last week, Humane CEO Bethany Bongiorno mentioned on Twitter that the AI pin will be “a stand-alone (sic) device” as well as “a phone, contextual computer, and software platform.”

Those remarks led some to conclude that the AI Pin will have cellular connectivity, and not rely on a mobile phone to connect to the internet. A spokesperson for Humane confirmed as much when I contacted the company for this story, writing:

“The Ai Pin is a standalone device which does not need to be partnered with a smartphone or other partner device. In Imran’s TED Talk, he also received a phone call live on the TED stage. They will be sharing full details, including around connectivity, on November 9.”

I recently discovered something that shines a bit more light on the connectivity piece:

• Humane filed an application with the FCC “for authority to provide resale services” with the FCC earlier this year, which regulators subsequently granted.

• As part of the application, Humane told the FCC that it isn’t looking to operate its own mobile network infrastructure, and that it isn’t owned or controlled by a foreign telco.

• This essentially means that Humane is looking to act as an MVNO, reselling telecommunication services provided by other mobile carriers.