Meta's Muse agent gets a Tamagotchi-like device, video avatars and Mac control

Meta calls Muse Charm the first device made specifically for Muse and says it runs a real-time voice model. According to TechCrunch, you tap a fingerprint sensor to start talking, an avatar appears on its small screen, and it's sized to hang from a keychain. The Decoder reports a roughly 2-inch display and 5G. The comparisons to a Tamagotchi were immediate.

Meta hasn't announced a price. TechCrunch reports a December release, while Meta says only that it will share more later this year. Meta CTO Andrew Bosworth described the device as an exploration.

• Video avatars: real-time video chat with a custom avatar.
• Its own email address: send Muse tasks or messages by email.
• Mac control: with permission, Muse can use apps on a Mac and keep working after you leave.
• AI glasses: Muse is coming to Meta's glasses in the coming months, able to act on what you're looking at.
• Shopping and work connectors: including Walmart, Best Buy, PayPal, Notion and GitHub.

Meta launched Muse on September 8. It reached No. 1 on Apple's US App Store on September 18, and Sensor Tower estimated more than 730,000 US downloads in its first 10 days. Meta says Muse is free for most uses and plans to make money over time from small transaction fees.

The Charm is a test of whether people want dedicated hardware for an AI agent. Watch for pricing and reviews closer to its release. More: Meta news.