It turns out that Rabbit R1 was an Android app from the beginning.

end time android authority, Mishaal Rahman downloaded Rabbit’s launcher APK on his Google Pixel 6A. With a few tweaks, he was able to run the app as if it were on Rabbit’s device. Using the volume up key instead of the R1’s single hardware button, he was able to set up an account and start asking questions as if he were using the $199 R1.

Rahman points out that the app may not offer all of the same features as the R1. Here’s what he said: “Rabbit R1’s launcher app is designed to be pre-installed in the firmware and granted several privileged system-level permissions. We were only able to grant some of them. Therefore, there is a high probability that some functions will fail if you try them. .” But the fact that this software ran on a mid-range phone almost two years ago suggests that it has more in common with run-of-the-mill Android apps than it might otherwise.

Rabbit founder and CEO Jesse Lyu disagrees with this characterization. He issued a long statement. The Verge A partial quote is provided below. It was also posted on Rabbit’s X account. If you want to read the whole thing.

“rabbit r1 is not an Android app. Rabbit OS and LAM run in the cloud via a custom AOSP and low-level firmware modifications, so local pirated APKs without a proper OS and cloud endpoint cannot access our services. . Rabbit OS is customized for r1 and we do not support third-party clients.”

R1 is not alone. Humane’s AI pins also appear to run on versions of the Android open source software. But with the first reviews starting to trickle in, it’s the R1 that’s on the hot seat right now. And they’re not great, Bob. Rabbit released its first software update earlier today to address some complaints, including quickly draining batteries. that The problem seems to be better controlled after the update. After downloading the update this morning, my R1’s idle battery performance has improved significantly.

But the bigger problem is that R1 doesn’t do enough useful things to justify its existence. phone call Exist. It seems like this AI device could have been an app after all.

Updated April 30, 11:23 PM ET: Added statement from Rabbit CEO Jesse Lyu.