{
  "id": 16907030,
  "title": "Meta has a new AI pet app called Waddle World",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/28/meta-has-a-new-ai-pet-app-called-waddle-world",
  "topic": "ai",
  "section": "AI",
  "published": "2026-10-28T13:53:31.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "TechCrunch",
    "slug": "techcrunch",
    "url": "https://techcrunch.com/2026/10/28/meta-has-a-new-ai-pet-app-called-waddle-world/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Meta, the social media giant, has introduced a new AI-powered app called Waddle World, reminiscent of the Tamagotchi virtual pet. This app is currently available in the Philippines, and will soon roll out on iOS and Android platforms. Waddle World allows users to create, nurture and interact with a virtual pet, as detailed by social media analyst Matt Navarra.\n\nThe app is not just a simple pet simulator, but also an interactive platform where users can feed, play, and build a relationship with their pixelated pet. Unlike the chatbots and productivity tools typical of AI applications, Waddle World is touted as a \"pet, and a place\" for relaxation. Users can record their day through voice or text, and the pet will respond with a journal entry written in its own voice and accompanied by a doodle.\n\nThere's also a collection of mini-games that can be played in short bursts, and an option to receive a weekly recap email based on the user's interactions and sentiments. Despite Meta's attempt to steer clear of building companion applications, given the legal implications surrounding apps like Character.AI and OpenAI, the potential for this AI pet to grow beyond the virtual world into a physical product is an intriguing possibility.",
  "summary": "Meta has launched a new app called Waddle World, which essentially looks like a Tamagotchi clone, but with AI.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Engadget",
        "title": "Meta's Waddle World is a Tamagotchi-like AI pet app",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/28/metas-waddle-world-is-a-tamagotchi-like-ai-pet-app",
        "published": "2026-10-28T08:40:19.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}