Ex-Apple Engineers Bet a $179 iPod Shuffle-Like AI Button Can Succeed Where Humane Failed
Chris Nolet and Ryan Burgoyne, both previously with Apple Vision Pro, are rolling out Button, a $179 AI gadget that clips on and only activates when pressed. It’s designed for fast responses to voice prompts. Backed by Y Combinator, the device—its look draws strong iPod Shuffle comparisons—is targeting its initial U.S. shipments for Dec. 15, 2026. The scramble for a breakout AI hardware product continues. Humane shuttered its AI Pin business and offloaded assets to HP for $116 million in 2025, reacting to lackluster feedback and sluggish demand. OpenAI and Rabbit remain in the hunt, rolling out fresh AI-first devices, both still chasing a form factor that actually lands with users.