Meta presented the Muse Charm at its Connect conference, showing a hand‑sized gadget that resembles the 1990s Tamagotchi digital pet. The device has a roughly 2‑inch OLED display and runs a new operating system intended to bring the Muse AI assistant to life on dedicated hardware. It includes a fingerprint sensor for unlocking, front and rear cameras that supply visual information to Muse, and supports music and video playback through built‑in speakers, microphones and a USB‑C charging port. The Charm can be worn with a strap, kept in a pocket or attached to a bag or keychain, and its transparent housing reveals the internal circuitry.
Meta says the Muse Charm is a "holdable" rather than a wearable, meant to be picked up and interacted with throughout the day. Two units can detect each other when in close proximity and enable interaction between the devices. The assistant’s avatar appears on screen, allowing users to customize its appearance, clothing, voice and other traits. The device does not support telephone or video calls.
Originally slated for a 2027 launch, Meta chief Mark Zuckerberg urged teams to bring the product forward to 2026, with sources indicating a release before the end of the year to capture the holiday shopping season. The price has not been finalized, but Meta’s technology chief Andrew Bosworth said it will likely fall within the range of a smartwatch. Details such as any mobile‑network fees remain undecided.
The Muse Charm was developed in about nine months in Meta’s new design lab, led by former Apple interface design chief Alan Dye and Billy Sorrentino, whom Meta hired in late 2025. They recruited additional Apple designers and worked closely with the Muse team on both the hardware and the assistant’s smartphone apps. Meta also highlighted the growing popularity of the Muse assistant on iPhone, Android and the web, and announced new retail partnerships with Walmart, Best Buy and Gap to integrate the assistant further.
During the same Connect presentation Meta unveiled lighter virtual‑reality glasses and audio‑only smartglasses without cameras, but the Muse Charm drew the most attention as a novel exploration of hardware for AI interaction.
