Friend AI Pendant Relaunch: A Double Take
Do you remember Friend? This innovative tech company made headlines when it launched an AI pendant and spent a staggering $1.8 million of its $2.5 million budget to acquire the domain friend.com. Its extensive advertising campaigns in New York City aimed to promote the concept of artificial companionship, raising eyebrows and questions alike.
Well, for those who may have forgotten, Friend is back—and this time, the price tag is considerably higher.
The Upgrade: Introducing the Talking Pendant
Recently, Friend debuted a new advertisement showcasing two individuals engaging with their Friend pendants, discussing deeply personal life challenges. While the ad stops short of explicitly stating it, viewers can discern that a significant new feature has been added: the pendant now comes equipped with a speaker. Previously, the device communicated only through text messages. Now, it can talk back, which has naturally been reflected in its pricing; the original cost of $129 has skyrocketed to $249—a $120 increase for the new functionality.
Context: The Public Backlash
This re-launch comes nearly nine months after a notable protest targeting Friend took place in NYC. Activists aimed to highlight society’s increasing dependency on technology, and Friend was an obvious focus given its heavy investment in advertising throughout the city. Avi Schiffmann, the founder of Friend, not only acknowledged the protest by sharing promotional images but also participated personally, showcasing his commitment to engaging with public sentiment.
Friend 2.0 or Just More Expenses?
In a recent tweet, Schiffmann dubbed the new advertisement as “Friend 2.0,” despite the product being simply referred to as “Friend” on its website. The question remains: will this revised offering earn a better reception in the marketplace compared to its predecessor?
For more insights into this intriguing technological development, you can read further Here.
Image Credit: www.theverge.com
