My theory about what happened at Humane…
Founders pitch investors on a hand laser thing when it’s a napkin sketch. They raise too much money, hire too many people.
They build a prototype, but too late. Turns out the laser UI sucks and eats too much battery.
“Hmm. Investors are shopping for AI companies now… voice uses less power… pivot to AI!”
Suddenly tech has a downturn. Can’t raise another round of funding. They launch an alpha.
They know it’s doomed. It’s an advertisement for acquirers.
Sounds like a plan.