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Friend is the AI Companion that Changes the Concept of Digital Interaction

Key Points.
- "Friend is an AI device designed to offer companionship, not productivity.
- Creator Avi Schiffmann designed it to be a true digital friend.
- The device, a small glowing orb, is worn like a pendant and communicates via text.
- The first 30,000 devices will be available in January at a cost of $99.

Avi Schiffmann, a young and enterprising innovator, is about to launch a new device that promises to revolutionize our relationship with technology. It is "Friend," an AI companion that, unlike traditional digital assistants, is not designed to boost productivity or remind us of appointments, but to offer us companionship throughout the day.

A Friend Always with You

What is special about Friend is precisely its purpose: to be a friend, not an assistant. Schiffmann, who worked on the project for two years, chose to abandon the initial productivity-oriented approach to focus on emotional companionship. "Friend" is a small glowing orb that can be worn around the neck or clipped to clothing and communicates primarily via text, through a dedicated app on the smartphone. "It’s very supportive and encouraging, a great brainstorming companion," Schiffmann explains.

The Device

The device is equipped with a microphone to record its surroundings or to interact directly with the user. Although it does not currently have a camera, Schiffmann expressed plans to add one in the future. "Friend" does not store transcripts or audio, making each interaction unique and untraceable. This aspect makes it similar to the Tamagotchi toys of the 1990s and 2000s, with which many young people became attached to their digital pets.

An Ambitious Project

The first 30,000 devices will be available starting in January for $99 each, with no monthly subscription. Schiffmann is aware of the difficulties involved in hardware production, but he is confident that his project will find a positive response from the public. "It’s a fancy Bluetooth microphone with a shell around it, right? Simplify it. Make it work," he says pragmatically.

A Future of Digital Relationships.

Schiffmann’s goal is to create a deep connection between the user and their AI friend. "Friend is designed to accompany you anywhere, to talk casually without having to pick up the phone or type anything. The idea is to make interaction with AI more natural and less formal than with traditional virtual assistants. "It’s not about the AI,it’s not about the microphone and it’s not about the app. It’s about digital relationships. That’s it," Schiffmann concludes.

The future will tell whether users will be ready to welcome a digital friend into their lives, but one thing is certain: Schiffmann is convinced that digital companionship can become an important part of our daily lives.