Sometimes it's not about what it can do at first but what long term potential the creators see. Perhaps this is the MVP they could make and release but they made design choices that aren't apparent due to a vision for a future iteration that is more capable.
An MVP for this device would be an app, there’s no demonstrated capabilities the playdate has that a phone can’t do. I actually think the Humane pin “””succeeded””” in that they actually produced a device that has capabilities a 5 year old smartphone loaded with the same software doesn’t.