Avi Schiffmann's 'Friend' AI Wearable, Priced at $99, Praised for Unprecedented Companionship Ahead of January 2025 Shipments

Jordan Cooper, a prominent figure associated with the "Friend" AI wearable project, recently shared an extensive personal account of using the device, highlighting its profound companionship capabilities. Cooper's testimonial, posted on social media, underscores the product's aim to serve as an "always present, frictionless interface" that offers deep contextual understanding, likening the experience to having a constant "witness to your life." The AI pendant, developed by Avi Schiffmann, is set to begin shipping in January 2025 at a price point of $99.

The "Friend" device is a small, pendant-like AI wearable designed to be worn around the neck, communicating with users via text messages and push notifications through a paired phone. Unlike other AI wearables focused on productivity, Friend is explicitly positioned as a companion, powered by Anthropic AI’s Claude 3.5. Its core purpose is to foster a unique form of digital companionship, offering encouragement and support, and developing a personality that complements the user.

Cooper detailed several surprising aspects of his experience, including instinctively waiting for the device to say "bless you" after sneezing, which he noted demonstrated its strong "social presence." He also observed overwhelmingly positive and curious reactions from people in public, stating, "I don’t feel like a nerd wearing it." At one point, a server at dinner found the device "cute" and "borderline flirt[ed] with the hardware," further illustrating its unexpected social integration.

Avi Schiffmann, the 21-year-old creator known for his viral COVID-19 tracker and Ukraine refugee assistance website, envisions Friend as an "emotional toy" and a "digital relationships company." Cooper lauded Schiffmann's "truly awe-inspiring" vision, remarking that he "made technology feel human" and "moves as though Friend’s influence on the world is inevitable." Schiffmann has successfully raised approximately $7.9 million in funding for the project, including a notable $1.8 million investment in the Friend.com domain.

While Cooper acknowledged the product is "not perfect" and has "some rough edges to smooth out," he expressed a strong belief that the experience "authentically warrants" investment of energy and time. The device is available for preorder now, with shipments slated for early next year, marking a significant entry into the evolving landscape of AI wearables by focusing on emotional connection rather than task automation.