Friend AI wearable returns with new voice, higher price
▼ Summary
– Avi Schiffmann’s AI wearable Friend has been updated to version 2.0, adding a built-in speaker that gives it a consistent personality and voice.
– A new commercial shows the device offering emotional support, such as telling a user, “It’s not bad to be gay,” and complimenting another on their filmmaking.
– The retail price for Friend 2.0 has risen to $249, up from the original $99 launch price two years ago.
– Schiffmann describes the product’s purpose as a “confidant, friend, God,” clarifying it is not an assistant or lover, though its practical uses beyond conversation remain unclear.
– Friend’s subway billboard campaign was previously vandalized, and similar AI wearables like Humane’s AI pin failed commercially, shutting down within a year.
Two years after introducing the world to Friend, an AI-powered wearable designed to fight loneliness, tech founder Avi Schiffmann is back with a significant overhaul of the device. The most notable upgrade? It can now talk back. The company unveiled the refreshed product this week, and the new version comes equipped with a built-in speaker that gives the wearable a distinct, consistent personality.
Schiffmann announced the launch on X, writing, “Introducing friend 2.0.” The device now offers voice interaction, a feature that was missing from the original model when it debuted at $99. That price has jumped to $249 for this enhanced iteration.
A promotional video for the upgraded wearable showcases a woman wearing Friend while discussing what appears to be a past relationship with an ex-girlfriend. The necklace responds, “It’s not bad to be gay.” In another clip, a man on a hillside talks about his filmmaking goals, and Friend offers encouragement, saying, “That last film you made was insane!”
Beyond casual conversation, what exactly can Friend do? That remains somewhat ambiguous. In a separate post on X, Schiffmann reflected on the product’s purpose, describing it as an attempt to offer “some kind of confidant, friend, God, not really sure what it is.” He clarified that it is neither an assistant nor a lover.
Marketing a plastic, algorithm-driven necklace by hinting it could serve as a deity is certainly an ambitious pitch. But Schiffmann’s company has never shied away from provocative campaigns. Last year, Friend’s billboard ads in the New York City subway went viral, largely because they were repeatedly vandalized by commuters who seemed less than thrilled about the idea of replacing human connection with a digital charm.
The broader market for AI wearables has yet to gain mainstream traction. Humane Inc., which offered a similar concept with its AI pin aimed at replacing smartphones, shut down within a year due to lackluster sales. Friend’s future remains uncertain, but with its new voice and higher price, it’s clear Schiffmann is betting on a more expressive companion to win over skeptics.
(Source: TechCrunch)
