That AI wearable you don't like just got worse (and more expensive)
Friend releases a new $249 AI pendant with a speaker and a $10/month subscription for memory beyond 30 days, while its founder embraces negative feedback for publicity.
Friend, the startup behind the controversial AI pendant, has announced a new version of its wearable companion. Priced at $249, the updated device now includes a built-in speaker, allowing it to verbally respond to questions. However, the core concept remains the same: an always-on microphone to engage users in conversation with a randomized AI personality.
Originally, interactions were limited to push notifications via the companion app. Now, the pendant itself can speak directly. Founder Avi Schiffmann told Wired that controversy is intentional. "Reality is so over; everything is ironic now," he said, indicating a strategy to leverage negative reactions for marketing.
The new price point ($249) is nearly double the original $129. Additionally, a $10 monthly subscription is required for the device to retain memories longer than 30 days. Without it, the AI forgets everything after a month. This combination of higher cost and recurring fees may deter potential buyers.
While the speaker aims to make Friend more human-like, concerns about emotional reliance on AI and privacy persist. Schiffmann's approach of leaning into criticism suggests that further controversy may be on the horizon.
