TLDR
- A new AI wearable called “Friend” has been launched for $99
- The necklace aims to provide companionship through AI interactions
- Created by Avi Schiffmann, known for his COVID-19 tracking website
- The device is always listening and responds via a smartphone app
- It represents a shift from productivity-focused AI wearables
In a world increasingly dominated by artificial intelligence, a new player has entered the field with a unique proposition.
Meet “Friend,” a $99 AI-powered necklace that’s not here to boost your productivity or replace your smartphone. Instead, it wants to be your companion.
Developed by Avi Schiffmann, the tech entrepreneur who gained recognition for creating a COVID-19 tracking website in 2020, Friend represents a departure from recent trends in AI wearables. While devices like the Rabbit R1 and Humane AI Pin have focused on enhancing productivity or replacing traditional tech, Friend has a simpler goal: to combat loneliness.
The necklace, shaped like a small puck, is designed to be worn around the neck. It’s always listening to its wearer and can be activated with a simple touch. Users interact with Friend through a smartphone app, where the AI responds to conversations and activities in real-time.
“I would really view the product as like an emotional toy,”
Schiffmann told TechCrunch. He believes that the most successful use of large language models is when people share their day and feelings with AI tools. By incorporating this concept into a wearable device, Schiffmann aims to create a stronger emotional connection than what’s possible with just an app.
introducing friend. not imaginary.
order now at https://t.co/7kGiH5pQVK pic.twitter.com/qU58xNvX5v
— Avi (@AviSchiffmann) July 30, 2024
The introduction of Friend comes at a time when the AI wearable market is still finding its footing.
Recent launches of productivity-focused devices have met with mixed reviews, leading some to question the direction of the industry. Friend’s focus on companionship could represent a new path forward.
However, the concept has not been without its critics. Some social media users have drawn comparisons to dystopian scenarios from the TV show “Black Mirror,” while others have likened it to an adult version of the Tamagotchi digital pets popular in the 1990s.
Addressing potential privacy concerns, Schiffmann has 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, with shipping expected to start in January 2025.
Before Friend, Schiffmann had been working on a different AI pendant called Tab, priced at $600 and focused on productivity tasks. Despite initial interest, he decided to pivot to the Friend concept, offering Tab pre-order customers the option to switch or receive a refund.
As the AI industry continues to evolve, Friend represents an intriguing shift in focus. By prioritizing emotional connection over productivity, it raises questions about the role of AI in our daily lives and relationships.
Whether this approach will resonate with consumers remains to be seen, but it certainly offers a new perspective on the potential of AI technology.
