Meta and OpenAI bet on cute AI agents to sell hardware

meta and openai are taking a software-first approach to prime the market for their upcoming physical ai hardware. openai debuted its dota platform, featuring personalizable colored blobs with eyes, while meta introduced the muse charm, a pendant-like device with a screen displaying its cuddly-looking muse ai agent. both companies are banking on the usefulness and cuteness of their ai agents to drive demand for their hardware. openai, working with ex-apple designer jony ive, plans to ship its hardware no earlier than february 2027, while meta aims to launch its device before this year's holiday shopping season.