Meta to release Muse Charm, a Tamagotchi-like device for the Muse AI agent

Meta unveiled Muse Charm, a handheld device akin to a Tamagotchi, at the conclusion of their Meta Connect keynote on Wednesday. CEO Mark Zuckerberg presented this new gadget, which is always-on and handheld, as a means to converse with Meta's AI assistant, Muse, without the need for Meta's smart glasses.

Zuckerberg demonstrated the device in a live demo during the keynote, where he interacted with a personalized version of Muse, named Agrippa, to discuss the handheld device. Muse Charm, with its Tamagotchi-like nature, aims to provide an accessible way for those not using Meta's smart glasses to interact with their AI assistant.

The device is centered around Muse, Meta's personal agent that can set goals, share ideas, and work on tasks in the background. Users have the ability to customize Muse's personality and voice. Muse Charm operates on a free usage basis, coupled with optional paid subscriptions. Zuckerberg also hinted at the potential for Meta to charge a small fee on transactions that the AI assistant assists in completing.

Scheduled for a holiday release in December, Meta has yet to disclose the price for Muse Charm, stating that further details will be provided later. The gadget enters a market that has seen mixed reviews for standalone AI devices like Humane's Ai Pin and the Rabbit R1, both of which faced harsh criticism post-launch in 2024. Humane subsequently discontinued the Ai Pin the following year.

Muse Charm's unique advantage is its integration with the same AI assistant as Meta's smart glasses, a feature that might help it sidestep the same issues, though its future performance remains to be seen once it reaches consumers.