Technology news and discussion on TalkFuse.
That AI wearable you don’t like just got worse
Friend has launched a revised version of its AI pendant, adding a built-in speaker so it can respond aloud rather than only through app notifications. The $249 wearable retains its always-on microphone and is marketed as a conversational companion with a randomised personality, raising continuing concerns about privacy and the risks of relying on AI for emotional support.
The new device costs nearly twice as much as the original $129 model and uses updated AI models, but a $10 monthly subscription is now needed for memory beyond 30 days. Founder Avi Schiffmann reportedly embraced the backlash generated by Friend’s earlier advertising, suggesting controversy remains part of the company’s strategy despite doubts over the product’s appeal and purpose.
In short
- Friend’s revised AI pendant now speaks aloud through a built-in speaker.
- Its price has risen from $129 to $249.
- A £10 monthly-style subscription is needed for long-term memory.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
A spoken, wearable AI companion could make interaction more immediate and accessible than app notifications, while updated models and longer-term memory may help it feel more useful in everyday life. Supporters may see value in experimenting with new forms of companionship, provided users understand the device’s limits and can choose when and where its microphone is active.
The case against
An always-on microphone and an AI designed to provide emotional support raise reasonable concerns about privacy, consent and users becoming reliant on a system that cannot offer human care. The higher price and subscription for memory may also make the product’s practical value harder to justify, especially while its purpose and appeal remain uncertain.
Explained simply
Friend is an AI-powered wearable pendant designed as a conversational companion that users wear throughout their day. The device has an always-on microphone that constantly listens to its wearer and communicates through app notifications, with a personality described by the company as randomised.
The product has attracted significant controversy since its initial launch, primarily because of privacy concerns relating to the always-on recording capability. There are also concerns about the device's role in providing emotional support, given that it is positioned as a companion rather than a tool with a specific practical function.
Friend was created by entrepreneur Avi Schiffmann, and the company has faced scepticism about the product's market appeal and fundamental purpose. Despite these concerns, the company continues to develop and refine the offering.
AI Gadgets Software Technology