TrustKernel Launches PlugClaw, a Thumb-Sized Private AI Computer That Gets Things Done

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Postmedia has not reviewed the content. by GlobeNewswire TrustKernel Launches PlugClaw, a Thumb-Sized Private AI Computer That Gets Things DoneAuthor of the article: You can save this article by registering for free here. Or sign-in if you have an account.TrustKernel Plugclaw GNWA new category of AI hardware that combines frontier AI, app automation, and hardware-isolated privacy in a thumb-sized deviceTHIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLYSubscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Exclusive articles from Barbara Shecter, Joe O'Connor, Gabriel Friedman, and others.Daily content from Financial Times, the world's leading global business publication.Unlimited online access to read articles from Financial Post, National Post and 15 news sites across Canada with one account.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLESSubscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Exclusive articles from Barbara Shecter, Joe O'Connor, Gabriel Friedman and others.Daily content from Financial Times, the world's leading global business publication.Unlimited online access to read articles from Financial Post, National Post and 15 news sites across Canada with one account.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLESCreate an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountSAN FRANCISCO and HONG KONG, Aug. 12, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — TrustKernel, a global pioneer in secure operating systems and privacy-preserving computing with over a decade of experience protecting more than 1 billion devices worldwide, today announced PlugClaw, a thumb-sized Private AI Computer designed to help people delegate real work to AI. As AI rapidly evolves from answering questions to taking actions, people are asking it to do far more than write text or generate ideas. They want AI to reply to messages, organize information, complete workflows, operate apps, and handle everyday tasks.Get the latest headlines, breaking news and columns.By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.The next issue of Top Stories will soon be in your inbox.We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try againBut today’s phones and computers were designed for people, not autonomous AI. Running increasingly capable AI directly inside a personal device creates significant risks around privacy, permissions, and security. At the same time, relying entirely on local AI limits reasoning capability, while conventional cloud AI requires users to expose their highly sensitive credentials and personal data to remote servers.TrustKernel believes autonomous AI deserves its own physically isolated, trusted workspace to get things done safely.PlugClaw introduces a new category of device: the Private AI Computer. By simply plugging it into any smartphone, tablet, or computer, users gain a dedicated, hardware-secured AI workspace that can execute workflows and operate applications independently from the host device.A Dedicated Computer Built For AIPlugClaw is a complete computer in a thumb-sized USB-C device. It features its own processor, memory, encrypted storage, and the privacy-focused PlugOS – a secure Android operating system. The AI lives and works on the stick, not on your personal phone or computer.Instead of demanding risky administrative permissions to access your primary device’s operating system and storage, PlugClaw remains physically isolated. When connected to a smartphone, tablet, or PC, the host device acts as a secure display and keyboard interface. The AI, applications, data, and execution environment all remain inside PlugClaw’s own isolated operating system.AI That Actually Gets Things DoneUnlike traditional chatbots, PlugClaw is designed to take action.Inside PlugOS, the built-in AI agent can use tools and Android applications much like a person would – opening apps, reading information, replying to messages, organizing files, preparing presentations, browsing the web, and executing multi-step workflows automatically.Users simply describe what they want in natural language. A user can say “Reply to all unread messages in my tone” or “Build a competitor analysis deck matching our brand style,” and PlugClaw gets to work. Instead of stopping with an answer, PlugClaw follows through until the task is complete.This advertisement has not loaded yet.This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.Tasks can run immediately, be scheduled for later, or automatically start in response to predefined events, allowing AI to work proactively rather than waiting on every instruction.Powerful AI Meets PrivacyUsers no longer have to choose between powerful AI and privacy.Applications, AI memory, workflows, and sensitive data remain inside PlugClaw’s encrypted storage and isolated operating system. For frontier AI models, PlugClaw combines its local secure environment with confidential cloud computing, so user data is processed in a way that neither TrustKernel nor the underlying cloud provider can read.“The AI that does your work should be the AI that keeps your data yours,” said Dr. Wenhao Li, Founder and CEO of TrustKernel. “We believe the future of AI isn’t in the cloud or on your phone—it’s in your pocket, in a private AI computer that answers to no one but you.”One AI Workspace Across Every DevicePlugClaw works with Android phones, iPhones, tablets, Windows PCs, Macs, and Linux computers.No matter which device users connect to, they carry the same AI workspace, applications, memories, skills, and workflows with them.Powered by PlugOS and the on-device OpenClaw AI runtime, PlugClaw is designed to evolve continuously through new AI models, skills, workflows, and community-built capabilities.PlugClaw is designed for people who want AI to do real work without risking their phone, computer, or personal data, including:Everyday AI users: People who use AI for writing, searching, or brainstorming, and want it to actually finish tasks — reply to messages, organize files, run workflows. PlugClaw is plug-and-play, never touches data on your phone or PC, and costs a fraction of a dedicated AI phone.Privacy-conscious professionals: People handling sensitive personal or business information who want frontier AI without exposing their devices, credentials, or private data. PlugClaw keeps that work inside its own hardware-isolated environment.AI power users and developers: Professionals building or using AI agents for coding, research, content creation, and automation. PlugClaw gives them a portable, cross-platform AI workspace that runs OpenClaw natively — extended with GUI operation and Android-Use so agents can drive native mobile apps.PlugClaw is available worldwide starting at US$149.Users purchase the hardware once and pay only for the cloud AI services they choose to use. There are no mandatory subscriptions.Every PlugClaw includes at least US$15 in AI credits, allowing users to start completing real-world tasks immediately after activation.For more information, visit https://www.plugos.net/plugclaw.Form factorUSB-C stick, 50 × 19 × 8 mm, 15 gSoCMediaTek Helio G80Memory4 GB / 6 GB RAMStorage64 GB / 128 GB encryptedInterfaceUSB-COn-device OSPlugOS (privacy-hardened Android) + Ubuntu 24.04 (AI agent VM)Agent runtimeOpenClaw, extended with Android GUI agent and Android-UseHost compatibilityAndroid devices, iPhone, iPad, Windows, macOS, Linux (host provides display and input only)Supported modelsClaude, GPT, Gemini, DeepSeek, Grok, MiniMax, Qwen, Kimi, GLM, Mimo, and many moreCertificationsFCC, CE, RoHS, MFiPriceFrom US$149, includes US$15 AI credits TrustKernel is a global trusted computing company specializing in secure operating systems, Trusted Execution Environment (TEE), confidential computing, and privacy-preserving technologies. For more than a decade, TrustKernel has provided the security foundation for smartphones, connected vehicles, IoT devices, and enterprise platforms, with its technologies protecting more than one billion devices worldwide.TrustKernel’s consumer hardware line began with PlugMate, a thumb-sized private computer for secure personal data and apps. PlugClaw extends that platform into the AI era, helping establish a new foundation for personal AI computing – where powerful AI and user privacy coexist by design.Media contact: business@trustkernel.comProduct link: https://plugos.net/plugclawPhotos accompanying this announcement are available at:Notice for the Postmedia NetworkThis website uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads), and allows us to analyze our traffic. Read more about cookies here. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.