- Rabbit R1, AI gadget, runs on Android app, not requiring “very bespoke AOSP” firmware as claimed by Rabbit.
- Rabbit R1 launcher app can run on existing Android phones, not needing system-level permissions for core functionality.
- Rabbit R1 firmware analysis shows minimal modifications to standard AOSP, contradicting claims of custom hardware necessity by Rabbit.
It’s probably only because it’s co-designed by Teenage Engineering. Usually their devices get quite the fuzz.
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Imo TE has always been a shady company in terms of business decisions. I still for the life of me cannot understand why the OP-1 is over 2 grand. It’s a music making machine with a cruddy keybed that’s not even volocity sensitive that’s also intentionally limited in terms of how you can use it.
Now, don’t get me wrong. I definitely think it’s a cool little device capable of doing cool things. But there’s no way in hell this tiny thing is worth 2k. You can spend 1/4th of the price on something like an elektron Digitakt or a polyend play and get very similar functionality in an arguably better more robust package.
TE are a boutique company that intentionally releases overpriced products so they can have this reputation of being a “premium” company. Just like Apple. If it weren’t for their pocket operators (which are arguably closer to being toys than actual audio equipment) I wouldn’t think they’d have anything remotely worth buying.
Side note: the playdate looks adorable. But, similarly to the OP-1, is very overpriced for what it does.
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Yeah I do genuinely think the pocket operators are cool. At least I did when I thought they were cheap. Had no idea they got that expensive. Though that’s obviously not at all expensive when you’re talking about audio gear. So I’m willing to give them a modicum of leeway there.
Which is exactly like the “camera collabs” that phone makers sometimes do that end up being nothing more than marketing gimmicks.
Like the OnePlus camera “by Hasselblad” that is quality wise the same as any other smartphone camera in that price category.