Top AI Wearables and Gadgets to Buy Now
▼ Summary
– A new wave of AI-powered gadgets, including wearables and portable devices, aims to deeply integrate artificial intelligence into daily life for productivity and companionship.
– Bee is a $49.99 wearable that records audio, learns user routines to create reminders, and requires a $19 monthly subscription for its companion app with conversation transcripts and interaction features.
– Friend is a $129 emotional support pendant that listens via Bluetooth, recognizes user tone and mood, and has faced criticism over privacy concerns related to surveillance.
– Limitless (formerly Rewind) is a $99 pendant that transcribes and summarizes conversations with consent, offering 10 free AI feature hours monthly with unlimited access for $29 per month.
– Other notable devices include Omi ($89) for personalized advice using ChatGPT, Plaud’s NotePin ($159) for transcription in professional settings, and Rabbit R1 ($199) for performing phone-adjacent tasks with expanded AI features.
A fresh generation of AI-powered wearables and gadgets is reshaping how we interact with technology, bringing intelligent assistance directly into our everyday routines. These innovative devices range from smart jewelry to handheld companions, each designed to boost productivity, offer emotional support, or simply make life more convenient by learning from your habits and preferences.
One standout is Bee, an affordable pendant priced at just $49.99. You can wear it clipped to clothing or as a wristband. It captures audio to understand your daily patterns, then generates personalized reminders and notes. A physical mute button ensures privacy when needed. Access to its companion app, currently for iOS users, requires a $19 monthly subscription. Through the app, you can converse with Bee, ask questions, review daily summaries, and browse time-stamped conversation transcripts. Amazon acquired the startup behind Bee earlier this year.
Another notable device generating buzz is Friend. This $129 white pendant acts as an emotional support companion, analyzing your tone and mood to engage in friendly chat. It stays connected via Bluetooth, listening continuously so it can offer timely responses or send encouraging messages, like wishing you luck before a big meeting. However, the product has also drawn criticism, including public backlash against its subway advertisements in New York City, where some ads were vandalized with phrases like “surveillance capitalism.”
Then there’s Limitless, previously known as Rewind. This $99 pendant records and transcribes conversations, with participant consent, turning meetings and calls into searchable, summarized notes. It’s especially useful for professionals such as journalists who need to recall detailed discussions. The companion app includes 10 hours of monthly AI processing for transcriptions and summaries, with an unlimited plan available for $29 per month.
Omi, priced at $89, offers a versatile AI assistant that answers questions, summarizes talks, creates to-do lists, and helps schedule meetings. It continuously processes conversations through ChatGPT, allowing it to retain context and provide tailored advice. While it can be worn as a necklace, Omi also includes a unique feature: it can be attached to the side of your head using medical tape and detects when you’re speaking to it directly.
Plaud’s NotePin comes in at $159, positioning it among the more premium options available. Its built-in AI transcription and summarization tools make it a powerful asset for lawyers, students, and journalists. The compact voice recorder can be worn on the wrist or attached magnetically to clothing, saving recordings directly to your phone. Users receive 300 minutes of free transcription each month, while a Pro subscription costing $8.33 monthly increases that allowance to 1,200 minutes. The company is also preparing to launch the Plaud Note Pro, an ultra-thin note-taking device priced at $179, which is now open for preorders.
Finally, the Rabbit R1 has captured significant attention in the tech community. This $199 handheld gadget sports a retro design with a touchscreen and a rotating camera. It works alongside your smartphone, enabling you to complete tasks like booking travel, ordering food, or managing apps without constantly unlocking your phone. After a recent software update resolved earlier performance concerns, the R1 now offers expanded AI capabilities, including a feature called “Creations,” which lets users build custom tools and games.
(Source: TechCrunch)
