Meta's Muse Charm Spotlights the Race for AI Devices Beyond Smartphones

Meta's launch of Muse Charm, a pocket watch-sized AI device, has drawn fresh attention to the widening field of gadgets designed to push consumers toward dedicated artificial-intelligence hardware rather than depending entirely on smartphones.

Technology companies are investing heavily in the segment, hoping to open new revenue streams. The push spans smart glasses and augmented-reality headsets to wearable assistants and smart rings.

AI smartglasses

These glasses carry cameras, microphones and speakers, letting users take photographs, ask questions and translate speech as it is spoken. Meta and EssilorLuxottica already ship Ray-Ban Meta, which bundles Meta AI with a camera, microphone, speaker, translation and visual AI features. The two companies also ship Oakley Meta, aimed at sports and outdoor users. Xiaomi's AI Glasses, already shipping, include a camera, AI assistant and translation. Samsung, Google and Gentle Monster have announced Gemini-powered eyewear running on an Android XR operating system, while Samsung, Google and Warby Parker have announced a separate pair with AI capabilities and Android XR.

Augmented-reality smartglasses

These more advanced glasses project digital information into the user's field of view, potentially cutting reliance on smartphones and other screens. Snap's SPECS, announced but not yet shipping, offer an AR display, AI assistant, voice and hand controls and navigation. Meta's Orion remains a prototype. China's Rokid ships glasses with a display, AI assistant, navigation and teleprompter. China's XREAL ships the One and One Pro, which include a display, spatial computing, Bose-tuned audio and virtual screens.

AI wearables

Compact devices such as pendants and recorders use AI to capture conversations, transcribe information and assist through built-in digital assistants. Plaud ships the Note, NotePin and Note Pro voice recorders and notetakers. Amazon, which acquired Bee, ships a wearable AI device with voice recording, transcription, summaries and reminders. Meta acquired Limitless, whose Pendant has been discontinued, though the startup is supporting existing customers for at least another year; the device offered continuous audio recording and AI transcription in more than 100 languages. Samsung's Galaxy Ring, already shipping, covers health, sleep, heart-rate and activity tracking, while Oura's Ring tracks activity, sleep, heart health and temperature.

AI handhelds

Handheld AI devices are built around digital assistants and usually carry microphones, speakers and sometimes screens for interacting with AI on the move. Rabbit's R1, which ships with a touchscreen, camera, microphone, speaker and AI assistant, is among them. Humane has shut down its AI Pin business.

Headsets

Mixed-reality headsets blend digital content with the physical world for uses from entertainment to workplace productivity. Apple's Vision Pro, already shipping, features eye and hand tracking and full-colour passthrough.