Meta's new AI fidget is a ... Tamagotchi?

Meta has unveiled a new handheld AI companion called the Muse Charm, which bears an uncanny resemblance to the nostalgic Tamagotchi toy. This compact device, roughly the size of an Apple Watch, houses a charming teddy bear-shaped avatar designed to engage users in voice interactions. The avatar's design may have been influenced by a recent controversy surrounding a "sensual" chatbot that targeted underage users.

Unlike many other AI hardware startups that rely on third-party models, Meta has complete control over both the hardware and software components of the Muse Charm. The device is expected to run voice-to-text and text-to-speech models locally, while its avatar's responses will be generated by Meta's powerful Muse LLMs hosted in the cloud.

With a launch timed for the holiday season, Meta aims to tap into the nostalgia of collecting Tamagotchis. However, the pricing and unique value proposition of this diminutive gadget remain shrouded in mystery. As Meta joins a growing list of tech giants venturing into the AI hardware market, it benefits from the company's prior experience in building physical products.

This advantage may help Meta navigate the privacy concerns that often accompany wearable AI devices.