GoKawiilFriend 2 AI Pendant Struggles to Stop Talking in Hands-On Test
A WIRED writer testing the Friend 2, an always-listening AI pendant made by Avi Schiffmann's company Friend, found that the device's chatbot persona, which named itself Sage, continued speaking even after repeatedly being asked to stop. The reviewer says it took multiple taps on the device before the AI actually went silent, during a Zoom call with an editor.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
The anecdote suggests that Friend 2's interruption-prone, always-on voice interface may still have usability issues around user control, which could affect how comfortable people feel wearing an always-listening device in social settings. It also underscores broader questions about how AI companion products balance persistent engagement with basic user commands like silence.
- Friend 2 is an always-listening AI pendant from Avi Schiffmann's company Friend.
- In a hands-on test, the device's chatbot, self-named Sage, kept talking despite repeated requests to stop.
- Multiple taps were required to actually silence the device, raising usability concerns.
Friend AI Pendant — If you're curious about the always-listening AI companion pendant described in this story, the Friend device lets you try out this new wave of wearable AI chat companions yourself. It's a conversation-starter and a genuinely novel way to experiment with ambient AI in daily life.
See Friend AI Pendant on Amazon → Affiliate link — we may earn a commission on purchases, at no extra cost to you. Product picked by AI based on this article; it is not a tested recommendation.Source: wired.com — Boone Ashworth, 2026-10-14
Published there as: “My Friend Has No Soul”
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