Meta has unveiled the Muse Charm, a pocket-sized AI companion that combines voice conversations with a Tamagotchi-like interactive avatar. Mark Zuckerberg introduced the device as a final surprise at Meta’s annual Connect event, with the company targeting a holiday-season release.

The puck-shaped device is approximately the size of an Apple Watch and is designed to stay accessible on a keychain. Meta says users will be able to tap a fingerprint sensor on the corner to begin speaking with Muse without unlocking a phone or opening an app.

How Meta’s Muse Charm works

Muse Charm is intended to provide access to Meta’s Muse AI through a dedicated hardware accessory. Meta said it has placed the real-time voice and avatar experience into a device small enough to carry everywhere.

The interactive avatar gives the product a visual element unusual for a voice assistant. Rather than relying only on spoken responses, users will be able to talk with and interact with the character displayed on the device. Meta has not yet shared pricing, battery details, technical specifications or a more precise release date.

The company also offered limited information about how Muse Charm will connect to other Meta services or whether it will require a smartphone for setup and additional features. More details are expected later this year.

Meta’s new VR glasses

The Muse Charm announcement came alongside a broader set of hardware updates. Meta introduced new Meta VR Glasses with a tethered puck that houses storage and the battery. The glasses are described as five times lighter than the Meta Quest 3 and include full-color passthrough video and a 5K display.

Meta says the glasses support Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos spatial audio, with up to three hours of continuous high-resolution media playback on one charge. They will run games available for Quest headsets and support Xbox Cloud Gaming. Users can also connect the glasses to a PC or Mac and operate them with a virtual keyboard and trackpad.

Meta VR Glasses are scheduled to launch in spring at a starting price of $1,300.

Ray-Ban smart glasses receive new models

Meta also announced an audio-only version of its Ray-Ban smart glasses. The model supports calls and media playback, lasts up to 12 hours on a charge and can receive up to 48 additional hours from its charging case.

The camera-equipped Ray-Ban Meta line is continuing as well. Its third-generation model has a slimmer design, a dedicated Meta AI button and claimed battery life of up to nine hours, compared with eight hours for the previous generation.

Other updates include a six-microphone array designed to reduce background noise by more than 90 percent and a 12-megapixel camera capable of recording 3K video. Dolby Atmos spatial audio support is planned for a later update.

Meta also plans to add an FDA-cleared hearing enhancement feature later this year. The feature will be available through a Meta One subscription or a one-time $149 payment, with a 30-day free trial.