Friend AI Pendant Relaunches with Speaker, Higher Price
Friend re-launched its AI pendant, now with a speaker, for twice the price.
"Friend's back, now with a voice and a steeper price tag. Will people pay more for an AI that talks back? We'll see."
Friend, the AI wearable company, has re-launched its AI pendant. The updated device now includes a built-in speaker, allowing it to talk to users. This new version is priced at $249, a significant increase from its initial launch price of $99 two years ago. The company previously spent $1.8 million of its $2.5 million in funding to acquire friend.com and conducted a billboard campaign in the NYC subway.
The AI pendant, created by Avi Schiffmann, was initially designed to combat loneliness. The new version, referred to as "friend 2.0," projects a consistent personality. Schiffmann stated his interest in offering "some kind of confidant, friend, God" with the product, clarifying it is "not an assistant, and it is not a lover." The company's previous marketing efforts, including the defaced subway ads, have been noted for their boldness.
This re-launch follows a trend where most AI wearables have not achieved mainstream success. The offering is described as similar to Humane Inc.'s AI pin, which failed to gain traction and shut down its business within a year. The functionality beyond casual conversation with the Friend pendant remains unclear.
This re-launch highlights the ongoing experimentation and challenges in the AI wearable market. Businesses should observe consumer reception to new features and pricing strategies in this niche, especially given past failures in the sector.
Find the right AI tool for your business
Chat with Insta and get matched to the right tool in seconds.
Try Insta Tool Finder →