MA
AI News: An INSANE Week… Here’s What MattersMatt Wolfe31 Jul 2026
The new version of the always-listening AI wearable now speaks back and costs $250, up from $100. The creator finds the launch video dystopian.
Friend 2.0 is a wearable AI companion necklace with a built-in speaker, priced at $249.
Updated EU status checked Last shown
Friend (new wearable) at a glance
- What is Friend (new wearable)?
- Friend (new wearable) is a hardware from Friend. Friend 2.0 is a wearable AI companion necklace with a built-in speaker, priced at $249.
- Who makes Friend (new wearable)?
- Friend (new wearable) is made by Friend.
- Does Friend (new wearable) work in the EU?
- Unverified. No explicit evidence found; the provided pages are a TechCrunch article that does not state shipping regions or EU availability. Last verified 14 Nov 2026.
- How much does Friend (new wearable) cost?
- Paid. One-time hardware price of $249 retail for Friend 2.0 (original version was $99). Licence: Proprietary.
- Where was Friend (new wearable) shown?
- In 1 creator video by Matt Wolfe. Most recently by Matt Wolfe on 31 Jul 2026, at 24:18 in “AI News: An INSANE Week… Here’s What Matters”.
Sources: the vendor's own pages (linked above) and creator videos at the linked timestamps. EU status is information, not legal advice; see how we check.
About
Friend is an AI companion wearable made by Friend, founded by Avi Schiffmann. The original pendant launched about two years before the 2.0 announcement at $99 and communicated with users by text message about their day. It was presented as a way to counter loneliness.
According to TechCrunch, the "friend 2.0" revision announced in late July 2026 adds a built-in speaker, so the device can talk back with a consistent personality. The retail price rose to $249. Schiffmann has described it as a confidant that is neither an assistant nor a lover. Beyond conversation, TechCrunch says the product's other uses remain unclear.
The device is worn as a necklace and is consumer-focused. The provided material does not give technical specifications, the underlying models, shipping regions or privacy details. YouTube coverage describes it as always listening and criticised the launch video as dystopian.
Key features
- Wearable necklace form factor
- Built-in speaker for spoken replies (new in 2.0)
- Consistent, persistent AI personality
- Companion-style conversation rather than assistant tasks
- Retail price $249
1 moment
As seen on YouTube
Watch the moment: the exact second top creators show it. Videos load only when you press play, via youtube-nocookie.com.
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