TLDR
- A new AI-powered necklace called “Friend” has been introduced for $99
- The device is designed to combat loneliness by acting as a virtual companion
- It was created by Avi Schiffmann, known for his COVID-19 tracking website
- The necklace is always listening and can respond via a smartphone app
- Other recent AI wearables have faced challenges in the market
A new artificial intelligence (AI) device called “Friend” has entered the wearable tech market. This $99 necklace, shaped like a small puck, is designed to act as a virtual companion for its users.
The device was created by Avi Schiffmann, a tech entrepreneur who gained attention in 2020 for building a website that tracked the spread of COVID-19.
Unlike many other AI gadgets that focus on productivity or professional tasks, Friend’s sole purpose is to provide companionship.
The necklace is always listening to its user and can be activated by touching a button on the device. It responds to the user’s activities and conversations through text messages in a smartphone app.
introducing friend. not imaginary.
order now at https://t.co/7kGiH5pQVK pic.twitter.com/qU58xNvX5v
— Avi (@AviSchiffmann) July 30, 2024
Schiffmann explained his motivation for creating Friend in an interview with Wired magazine. “Productivity is over, no one cares,” he said.
“The most important things in your life really are people.” He believes that having an AI companion in the form of a wearable device creates a stronger emotional connection than just using an app.
The Friend necklace works by connecting to a user’s phone via Bluetooth. In the product’s launch video, the device is shown responding to various situations, such as commenting on a TV show the wearer is watching.
Schiffmann told TechCrunch that he views the product as an “emotional toy,” suggesting that people find value in talking about their day and feelings with AI tools.
The introduction of Friend comes at a time when other AI-powered wearables have faced challenges in the market.
Devices like the Rabbit R1 and the Humane AI Pin, which aimed to replace smartphones or enhance productivity, have received mixed reviews from tech experts.
Friend takes a more focused approach by targeting the specific niche of companionship.
Some observers have compared Friend to other tech concepts. On social media, some users likened the device to scenarios from the TV show “Black Mirror,” which often depicts unsettling future technologies.
Others drew comparisons to Tamagotchi, the popular electronic pet toys from the 1990s, due to the rounded shape of the necklace.
Addressing potential privacy concerns, Schiffmann stated that the device doesn’t store recordings, and users can delete their conversation texts at any time.
The Friend necklace is currently available for pre-order on the official website, with shipping expected to begin in January 2025.
Before focusing on Friend, Schiffmann had been working on a different AI pendant called Tab. This $600 device was designed to transcribe meetings and keep track of people.
Despite receiving $100,000 in pre-orders, Schiffmann decided to pivot to the Friend concept. He is now offering Tab pre-order customers the option to switch to Friend or receive a full refund.
As the AI wearable market continues to evolve, it remains to be seen how consumers will respond to devices like Friend. With its unique focus on companionship rather than productivity, this new AI necklace represents an interesting shift in how tech companies are approaching the integration of AI into daily life.
