Meta has unveiled a new AI gadget that has already drawn comparisons to the classic Tamagotchi.
Called Muse Charm, the futuristic device was revealed by Meta chief executive Mark Zuckerberg at the conclusion of the Meta Connect event.
Small enough to sit in the palm of your hand, Muse Charm is designed to give users access to Meta’s Muse AI without needing a phone or computer.
“It fits on a keychain, and is always available to talk to,” Zuckerberg told the audience.
He said users can tap the fingerprint sensor in one corner of the device to begin speaking, without unlocking a phone or opening an app.
Meta has released few details about the gadget so far, but that has not stopped online users from likening it to a Tamagotchi.
“Literally what is the point of this? nobody is going to be in a situation without a phone or computer and be like ‘wow thank God i had my surveillance state tamagotchi with me’,” one user wrote on X.
Another described the product as an “evil tamagotchi”, calling the phrase the best description they had seen for it.
The palm-sized device provides access to Meta’s Muse AI without requiring a phone or computer
Mark Zuckerberg unveiled the Muse Charm at the end of Meta Connect
Much of Meta Connect centred on Muse, which the company describes as its “personal AI agent”.
Zuckerberg first introduced Muse as a feature that would be available through Meta’s AI-enabled glasses.
Through the glasses, users can ask Muse to create a personalised workout guide, record meals, provide nutrition information and help purchase products they spot.
The assistant can also book appointments, find flight prices or search for a replacement part while users are driving, cooking or exercising, without requiring them to take out their phone.
Muse can be activated by saying its name followed by a request. It then works in the background and checks back with the user once the task is complete.
At the very end of the presentation, however, Zuckerberg revealed that Muse would also be built into the new Muse Charm.
“We’ve packed a lot of technology into this little guy,” he said as he held the device up for the audience to see.
He added that for people who are not wearing the glasses, Muse Charm would be “by far the fastest way” to speak with Muse and show the AI what is happening around them.
The limited images and videos released by Meta show a small display on the device, featuring the user’s selected Muse avatar.
A fingerprint sensor positioned in the corner can also be pressed to summon the AI assistant.
‘We’ve actually only built a few of these so far, and it’s been absolutely joyful to play with,’ Mr Zuckerberg said.
‘We still need to finalise the finishing materials, and we do also need to finalise laying out the components.
Right at the end of the event, Zuckerberg announced that Muse would also be available on the brand-new Muse Charm device
‘But, we are planning to have this ready to ship in time for the holidays, so in December. I think that people are going to love this.’
Across social media, the response to the device has been mixed – with many applauding Meta’s innovation.
‘Smartest use of AI yet,’ one fan said on X, while another asked: ‘Is this what disrupts Apple??’
Meanwhile, one joked: ‘When I was a kid I was addicted to tamagotchis. Now that I’m an adult I will likely be addicted to this Muse Charm.’
However, others are less convinced.
One sceptic said: ‘Who is going to use this over a Phone? Or a Apple Watch? I really do not understand the target demographic, maybe besides some middle school students who think they’re cool with the latest tech. This is a joke software bundled in useless e-waste.’
Another wrote: ‘Shaking my head. we’ve officially reached the stage where even your phone is no longer needed to have an AI assistant. At this rate, AI go soon start following us around physically.’
And one ominously tweeted: ‘This is black mirror.’
Our News Outlet has contacted Meta for information on pricing.
