Friend AI Necklace really wants to stay close to you, always

What is the difference between Friend AI necklace and other AI wearables? Well, imagine having a personal assistant who’s always by your side, not just when you need a reminder or a task completed, but for those everyday moments that make life interesting. That’s what the Friend AI necklace offers: a chatty friend around your neck who is ready to engage in conversation anytime, anywhere.

What is Friend AI necklace?

The Friend AI necklace is an innovative wearable device that combines artificial intelligence with everyday life, offering a unique form of digital companionship.

The Friend necklace is a pendant-sized wearable device designed to be worn around the neck. It resembles a small, round puck, similar in size and shape to an AirTag. It’s crafted to be unobtrusive and stylish, blending into your everyday attire while providing a constant connection to its AI capabilities.

(Credit) Friend AI necklace features

• Always listening: The necklace is equipped with an onboard microphone that continuously listens to the environment and conversations around it. This feature allows it to pick up and process verbal interactions without needing constant prompts.
• AI interaction: Powered by Anthropic AI’s Claude 3.5 language model, the Friend AI necklace can understand and engage in conversations. It processes what it hears, formulates responses, and sends them as text messages to a paired smartphone.
• Response mechanism: After you speak to the Friend necklace, it takes a moment to generate a response. The reply is then delivered to your smartphone via push notifications or text messages, allowing you to see what the AI has to say.

Unlike other AI devices focused on productivity, the Friend necklace is designed purely for companionship. It aims to offer emotional support, engage in casual conversation, and provide feedback on personal experiences.

(Credit: Friend AI)

It can comment on conversations, provide encouragement, or even make light-hearted jokes. Its design is intended to make it feel like a personal friend that’s always available.

Is Friend AI necklace safe?

The Friend necklace not store audio recordings or transcripts beyond the immediate context of the conversation. All data is end-to-end encrypted to ensure security.

Users have control over their data through the Friend app. Memories and interactions can be deleted with a single click, providing transparency and ease of data management.

Friend AI necklace only works with iOS devices for now

Currently, the Friend necklace supports iOS devices only. An Android version is expected in the future based on user demand.

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The Friend AI necklace connects to your smartphone via Bluetooth and requires an internet connection to function. This allows it to send and receive messages and updates.

How much does Friend AI necklace cost?

The Friend necklace is priced at $99 USD. There are no ongoing subscription fees, making it a one-time purchase. Friend AI necklace is cheaper than its rivals like Rabbit R1 ($199) and AI Pin ($699).

Pre-orders for the Friend necklace are set to begin shipping in Q1 2025. At present, it is only available for customers in the United States and Canada.

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When you purchase the Friend necklace, the package includes the device itself, two gray lanyards, a white carrying case, a USB-C charging cable, and a quick start guide.

Why is it cool?

The Friend AI necklace represents a blend of technology and companionship. Unlike typical productivity tools, this device focuses on being a constant presence in your life, offering support, conversation, and a touch of company wherever you go. It’s not about enhancing productivity or managing tasks—it’s about having a digital buddy who’s always there to chat.

Why is it not cool?

The Friend AI necklace, with its always-listening feature and digital companionship focus, might not be deemed “cool” due to its Black Mirror-like vibe. While intriguing, it raises privacy concerns and may seem like a gimmick. Its limited functionality and potential for fostering superficial interactions could also lessen its appeal. The constant presence of AI might feel invasive to those who value privacy and genuine human connections, making its charm and practicality a matter of debate.

The result? We’ll have to wait and see how the shipments go. In the meantime, stay tuned and follow us for the latest updates.

Featured image credit: Friend AI