Wearable AI “Friend” Listens And Texts You!

A promotional video for “Friend” went viral over the weekend, showcasing it as a virtual companion you wear like a necklace. The pendant features a built-in microphone that listens to your conversations and responds accordingly.

While some people find the concept dystopian and weird, others appreciate the idea. One person likened it to a Tamagotchi—the virtual pets from the ’90s—calling it a “Tamagotchi with a soul.”

“Friend” is always listening and responds when it wants to, but it doesn’t talk; it only communicates through text messages.

The ad features a woman eating and watching a show on her phone when a message pops up, calling the show “completely underrated” and asking if her falafel is any good. That’s actually impressive and a bit unnerving.

Similar to a Tamagotchi, “Friend” can “die.” The website explains that “Your friend and their memories are attached to the physical device. If you lose or damage your friend, there is no recovery plan.” Currently, “Friend” only works with iPhones, but the company plans to expand to Android if there’s enough demand.

Despite the mockery, a recent Stanford study suggests that virtual friends could be beneficial for people who live alone or lack friends to turn to for advice.