A sweeping wave of artificial intelligence-powered gadgets is entering the consumer market, aiming to integrate generative intelligence directly into everyday life in ways previously unseen. While some of these new devices function strictly as productivity tools meant to streamline note-taking, transcription, and scheduling, others are designed to act as friendly companions that listen to daily thoughts, track emotional habits, or provide conversational engagement. Even industry giants like OpenAI are reportedly working on compact, dedicated companion devices to capture a share of this emerging hardware category.
From pendants and rings to wristbands and specialized pocket hardware, hardware startups and tech titans alike are betting that consumers are ready to move beyond smartphones for their primary AI interactions.
Bee
Among the most visible early entries into the affordable AI pendant category was Bee, a $49.99 device that can be clipped directly to clothing or worn like a fitness band. Designed to record ambient audio, the original Bee learned user routines and preferences to autonomously generate reminders and notes. It also featured a physical privacy button for moments when users wanted their conversations unrecorded.
The device operated alongside a companion app, initially exclusive to iOS, which required a $19 monthly subscription. Through the app, users could interact directly with Bee, query stored conversations, review key daily takeaways, and access chronological transcripts.
The market for the hardware quickly shifted when Amazon acquired the wearables startup in July 2025. Following the acquisition, Amazon rolled out its first expanded product line under the Bee brand, introducing two distinct form factors starting at $74.99. The Bee Frontier is designed to be worn on the wrist or clipped to clothing, while the Bee Eclipse is a credit-card-sized device that attaches magnetically to the back of a smartphone. Both models retain the core audio-capturing and intelligence features of the original pendant, while offering deeper integration with Amazon’s ecosystem, including the option to connect Bee directly to Alexa.
Friend
Few hardware products in the personal AI space have generated as much initial buzz—or as much public controversy—as Friend. Marketed as an emotional support companion, the $129 white pendant hangs around the user’s neck and is engineered to recognize vocal tone and mood, allowing wearers to chat with it as if it were a peer. Connected to a smartphone via Bluetooth, the device constantly listens in the background, ready to offer conversational responses or send proactive messages, such as words of encouragement before a major job interview.
Despite backing from prominent figures in the tech industry, including founders associated with Solana, Perplexity, and Z Fellows, the product faced sharp public criticism. Most notably, a million-dollar subway advertising campaign in New York City drew intense backlash, resulting in public vandalism where advertisements were defaced with phrases criticizing the concept as "surveillance capitalism."
In an effort to adapt and maintain market relevance, the company behind Friend launched a major product revision dubbed "Friend 2.0." This iteration introduced a built-in speaker, allowing the device to actively talk back to users using a distinct voice and personality, alongside a substantially higher price tag.
Limitless
Formerly known under the brand name Rewind, Limitless carved out a distinct niche focused squarely on professional productivity rather than casual companionship. Priced at $99, the conversation-recording pendant is engineered to continuously listen to meetings, phone calls, and face-to-face interactions—strictly with the consent of participants—and transform them into searchable, summarized knowledge repositories.
The device has found a strong market among professionals, particularly journalists, corporate workers, and researchers who need to reliably recall and parse lengthy discussions without relying on manual note-taking. The Limitless companion software provides users with 10 hours of built-in AI transcription and summarization features per month, with an optional unlimited tier available for a subscription fee of $29 per month.
Muse Charm
Meta entered the dedicated AI hardware arena with the introduction of its Muse Charm, designed to serve as a physical access point for the company’s personal AI assistant, Muse. While the pocket-sized device has not yet begun shipping to consumers, it is designed to be carried loosely or attached to a keychain.
The hardware features a miniature display housing Jolly, a playful digital avatar intended to give a visual representation of the AI assistant. Users will be able to interact with Muse through natural voice commands, relying on the agent to execute tasks and manage workflows while on the go.
Nirva
Focusing inward rather than outward on productivity, the startup Nirva was founded by former employees of Meta Reality Labs to build an AI wearable centered on personal growth and self-reflection. Worn either as a pendant or a bracelet, the device listens to the wearer’s speech and utilizes advanced AI models to turn everyday experiences into an automated personal journal.
The hardware is designed to help users better understand their emotions, communication styles, and daily habits. Through a dedicated companion app, wearers can analyze behavioral patterns, uncover insights regarding how they converse, and track personal improvement over time. Nirva priced the device at $249, with initial shipments targeted for the end of the year following the opening of public orders.
Omi
Positioned as both a productivity booster and a conversational partner, Omi is an $89 wearable that can answer questions, summarize verbal exchanges, build to-do lists, and assist with scheduling. By constantly listening to the user’s environment and running conversations through large language models like ChatGPT, Omi builds contextual memory over time to offer tailored advice.
While the device can be worn traditionally as a necklace, it features a unique mounting option: it can be attached directly to the side of the head using medical tape, allowing it to easily detect when the wearer is speaking directly to it.
Plaud’s NotePin
Priced at $159, the NotePin from Plaud stands out as one of the more robust professional voice recorders in the wearable category. Its advanced AI transcription and summarization capabilities have made it popular among lawyers, journalists, and students who frequently attend lengthy lectures or strategy sessions.
The miniature recorder can be secured to the wrist or attached magnetically to clothing, capturing audio in real time and syncing transcripts directly to the user’s smartphone. The base hardware includes 300 free monthly transcription minutes, while a Pro subscription plan expands the allotment to 1,200 minutes per month. Building on the success of the NotePin, Plaud also prepared an ultra-thin note-taking device called the Plaud Note Pro for market release.
Rabbit R1
The Rabbit R1 launched as a standalone, retro-styled handheld device featuring a touchscreen and a rotating camera, positioned as a distinct alternative to traditional smartphones. Priced at $199, the device aims to handle digital tasks—such as booking travel, ordering food, and navigating apps—without requiring users to constantly unlock their phones.
Following an initial launch period marked by technical hurdles and mixed public reception, a major software update addressed performance concerns and introduced expanded capabilities. Among these updates is a feature called "Creations," which allows users to build custom tools and interactive utilities directly on the hardware.
Sandbar
Emerging from stealth with its Stream ring, Sandbar introduced a finger-worn AI wearable dedicated to ambient note-taking and media control. The ring features an integrated microphone that remains disabled by default, ensuring privacy until activated by the user via a flat, touch-sensitive panel on the top surface.
By pressing and holding the panel, users can capture spoken notes, interact with an AI assistant through a companion mobile app, and manage media playback—including playing, pausing, skipping tracks, and altering volume levels. The Stream ring is slated to launch in silver and gold finishes.
