Friend AI wearable returns with a voice and a $249 price tag

The updated device aims to move beyond simple text notifications by offering a consistent, audible personality. Promotional materials show the necklace engaging in conversational support, offering validation to users about personal relationships or career ambitions. Despite the hardware upgrade, the device remains distinct from utility-focused assistants, as Schiffmann clarifies that the goal is to provide a form of companionship rather than a functional tool or romantic partner.

This pivot to a more expensive, voice-enabled model comes as the broader market for AI wearables remains volatile. Industry peers like Humane Inc. recently shuttered operations after failing to gain traction with their own AI pin, highlighting the difficulty of selling hardware that replaces traditional smartphone interaction. Whether consumers are willing to pay a premium for a necklace that claims to be a digital deity remains the central question for the project's survival.