Meta has a new pocket-sized AI companion, and it wants you to think of Tamagotchi. The company unveiled the Meta Muse at its September Connect event, and the key-chain device is exactly what it sounds like: a small charm with a built-in avatar that you can carry around and talk to.
Mark Zuckerberg took the stage on September 23 to reveal the gadget alongside a new set of Meta VR Glasses and a K-pop idol Lisa collaboration. The Muse Charm, as the device is officially called, houses Meta’s AI agent Muse and features a little avatar that can be interacted with at the tap of a button. It comes with a strap that attaches to your wrist or other items, so you can keep it handy.
The resemblance to the classic handheld digital pets is immediate. The avatar looks adorable, according to the showcase, waving and wobbling about in a silly, jolly way. And unlike the original Tamagotchi, this one won’t die if you forget to feed it. Nor will it make a poopy mess on the screen.
Design and Activation
The Muse Charm is a small device that lives on your key chain. According to Zuckerberg, it activates by tapping the fingerprint sensor in the corner of the device. Once powered on, the screen lights up and displays the avatar, ready for interaction.
The device is described as featuring an approximate 2-inch touchscreen, according to Reuters, which also noted that it includes a built-in 5G connection. That means it can stay connected to the internet even when you’re out and about.
Zuckerberg made the case for why the Muse Charm might be the fastest way to interact with your AI assistant. “If you’re not going to be wearing [Meta Glasses], this is by far going to be the fastest way to talk to your Muse, and to show it what’s going on around you,” he said.
The device is scheduled to ship in December 2026, just in time for the holiday season. No price has been revealed yet, though more details are expected at a later date.
The Avatar’s Look and Feel
The showcase suggests the avatar is expressive. It can wave, wobble about, and generally be a silly, jolly little guy. The exact range of actions has not been detailed beyond that.
The avatar is also customizable. You choose which one you want, and it greets you when you activate the device. The screen powers on with a tap, and the avatar is ready to go.
The built-in 5G connection means the device can stay online even when you’re out and about. That could be useful for:
- Sending messages
- Checking the weather
- Getting directions
Why It’s Not a Toy
The comparison to Tamagotchi is deliberate. The original handheld digital pets were a global phenomenon in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Players had to feed them, clean up after them, and play with them to keep them alive.
The Muse Charm skips the death part entirely. There is no risk of the creature dying, and there is no mess to clean up. The avatar is simply a companion that you can chat with and use to assist with your daily life.
That difference is part of the appeal. The original Tamagotchi was a low-tech novelty that required constant attention. The Muse Charm is a high-tech novelty that requires none.
Price and Shipping
The Muse Charm is scheduled to ship in December 2026. That timing puts it squarely in the holiday window, which could make it a gift option for people who want a hands-free AI assistant.
No price has been revealed yet. Meta has not announced how much the device will cost, and the company has said more details will come at a later date.
Zuckerberg noted that his team is still working on the devices and the finishing touches. The company is clearly not done with the product, and there is still room for changes before it reaches stores.
The Size Question
The Muse Charm is not the smallest device we’ve seen this year. That distinction belongs to the Tamagotchi ring, which lets you raise a virtual pet on your finger.
The ring is a smaller device, but it is also a more limited one. It is a wearable that displays a virtual pet, and the comparison is notable because it shows how far technology has come since the Tamagotchi era. The original toy was a simple display device. The Muse Charm is a fully functional AI assistant that happens to look like a toy.
What This Means for Users
The Muse Charm is portable. You can wear it on your wrist, clip it to your bag, or attach it to other items. That means you can keep it with you wherever you go.
The avatar is the face of the interaction. It is the thing you see when you activate the device, and it is the thing that represents you to the AI assistant.
The Bottom Line
The Muse Charm is a charming idea. A pocket-sized AI companion that looks like a Tamagotchi is exactly the kind of tech-sounding-crazy that makes people smile.
The device is scheduled to ship in December 2026, and it is expected to be available at that time. Whether it lives up to the hype will depend on the final price and the features that are included.
For now, the Muse Charm is a promising concept. It is a small device that carries a big idea: a personal AI assistant that you can carry with you everywhere you go.
The comparison to Tamagotchi is apt, but the Muse Charm is not a toy. It is a tool, and it is a tool that is designed to be useful.
Source material: “Meta reveals pocket-sized AI companion that looks like a Tamagotchi,” Dexerto.
Get the Notebook.
The day's best stories and every fresh verdict, in plain English, in your inbox by seven. One email a day, no more.