A wave of AI gadgets wants to ride along with you all day. Necklaces, rings, wristbands and pocket-sized devices are being marketed as productivity tools, and some are pitched as companions that listen to your everyday thoughts. Amazon, Meta and OpenAI are all in the game, and prices range from $49.99 to $299.
Among the most affordable is Bee, a pendant that can be clipped to clothing or worn like a fitness band. It records what it hears, learns routines and preferences, and generates reminders and notes. It has a mute button for moments when you want privacy. The companion app, which currently runs only on iOS, costs $19 a month and lets users ask Bee questions, get key takeaways from their day and read chronological transcripts of their conversations.
Amazon acquired the startup in July 2025 and recently launched two new devices. The Bee Frontier costs $74.99 and can be worn on the wrist or clipped to clothing. The Bee Eclipse, at $99.99, is a credit-card-sized device that attaches magnetically to the back of a smartphone. Both offer the same core functions as the previous generation. Amazon is positioning Bee as a cheaper alternative to devices such as the Plaud Note and Plaud NotePin, and users can connect Bee to Alexa.
Friend, a $129 white pendant, is one of the most talked-about entries in the so-called personal AI market. It hangs from the neck and acts as an emotional support companion, recognizing tone and mood. It connects to a phone over Bluetooth, listens constantly and can send proactive messages, such as wishing a user luck before a job interview. The product has also drawn criticism. Its subway ad campaign in New York drew backlash, and people defaced the ads with messages such as “surveillance capitalism.” The company has since unveiled a major update, Friend 2.0, which adds a built-in speaker so the device can talk back and express a more distinct personality.
Limitless, formerly known as Rewind, is a $99 pendant that transcribes meetings, calls and conversations, with consent, and turns them into searchable, summarized notes. The company pitches it to professionals, especially journalists, who need to recall important discussions. The app includes 10 hours of AI features a month, such as transcription and summaries, and users can unlock unlimited use for $29 a month.
Meta has also entered the field. The company introduced its first AI wearable in September, a way for users to reach its personal assistant, Muse. The device has not shipped yet. It is expected to feature Jolly, a playful digital avatar that represents the assistant. The pocket-sized gadget can be carried or attached to a keychain and includes a miniature display showing the avatar. Users will be able to give voice commands and have Muse complete tasks.
Nirva takes a different angle. The startup was founded by former Meta Reality Labs employees, and its device focuses on personal growth rather than meeting notes. Worn as a pendant or bracelet, it listens to the wearer’s speech and uses AI to build a personal journal. The companion app is designed to help users see patterns in their emotions, communication style and habits. Nirva plans to open orders in November, with shipments to early users targeted for the end of the year. The device will cost $249.
Omi, priced at $89, can answer questions, summarize conversations, create to-do lists and help schedule meetings. It runs conversations through ChatGPT so it can remember context about the wearer and offer personalized advice. It can be worn as a necklace, or attached to the side of the head with medical tape, where it can detect when the user is speaking to it.
Plaud’s NotePin, at $159, is one of the pricier options. Its built-in transcription and summarization make it a fit for lawyers, journalists and students who attend meetings or lectures. It can be worn on the wrist or attached magnetically to clothing, and recordings are saved to the phone in real time. The device includes 300 free monthly transcription minutes. The $8.33-a-month Pro plan raises that to 1,200 minutes. The company is also preparing the Plaud Note Pro, a $179 ultra-thin note-taking device that is now available for preorder.
The Rabbit R1 has drawn attention despite a rocky launch. The small, retro-styled handheld, priced at $199, has a touchscreen and a rotating camera. It is designed to work alongside a phone, handling tasks such as booking flights, ordering meals and controlling apps without the user pulling out the phone each time. A software update fixed earlier performance problems and added features, including “Creations,” which lets users build their own tools and games.
Sandbar, which emerged from stealth last year, makes the Stream ring, a note-taking wearable. Its microphone stays off by default. Users press and hold a touch-sensitive panel on top of the ring to record notes, talk to an AI assistant through the companion app, or control music. The Stream ring is expected to launch this summer at $299, in silver and gold finishes.
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