Rabbit’s first R1 software update fixed my biggest problem with the AI gadget

Every week after launch, Rabbit has rolled out its first over-the-air (OTA) replace for the R1, its $199 AI system supposed to reply questions, establish objects, and probably prevent a few clicks by navigating apps in your behalf.

The brand new OTA replace fills a number of gaps that early prospects and reviewers have found. That features enhancements to battery life, which had been dropping by the minute throughout my testing, server connections, music playback, Bluetooth reliability, and extra.

To get the replace, R1 customers can merely activate their system, plug in a USB-C cable for energy, and hook up with the web through mobile or Wi-Fi. A couple of minutes after I did that, an replace UI appeared with a share meter. The entire course of took about 10 minutes, however your length might differ.

This is all the pieces Rabbit says the OTA replace contains:

• Idle battery efficiency improved by as much as 5x
• Added time zone choice to R1’s settings menu / R1 appropriate time zone based mostly on GPS location
• Rabbit OS made extra conscious of when to make use of GPS to question your location and leverage that info
• Improved detection of server connections and launch linked sources
• Improved music playback UI on R1
• Improved reliability for Bluetooth connectivity
• Improved stability on assembly assistant / recorder for longer durations
• Improved the accuracy relating to time-related info throughout dialog

Notably, “idle battery efficiency” has improved by as much as 5 occasions, which fixes one in every of my greatest issues when initially reviewing the R1. With out utilizing the system, the battery would drop at a regarding charge, sooner than every other new gadget I’ve examined. Rabbit didn’t disclose the basis explanation for the battery subject, however Rabbit CEO Jesse Lyu advised that his crew had found the offender as early as on April 25.

Put up-update, I’ve seen a dramatic distinction within the R1’s battery life, and for the higher. As I am writing this text throughout my morning work commute, the R1 stays at 100%, which is a refreshing sight.

Additionally refreshing is the R1 exhibiting me an correct East coast time — the system had beforehand been locked to Pacific time. You possibly can activate computerized time zone inside the R1’s settings, which now has a “Time” possibility.

With every the OTA replace, Rabbit says the R1 can even obtain a “Cloud replace” that customers will not have to manually set up; they’re rolled out as quickly because the engineering crew marks them as prepared and will deliver minor however nonetheless welcome optimizations to the AI system.