Meta has launched a new artificial intelligence-powered gadget called "Pocket," a device that bears absolutely no resemblance to the popular read-it-later service of the same name.\n\nThe company has been piloting the compact, AI-driven device, often referred to internally as "Gizmo," with select employees and partners. Unlike the digital bookmarking tool, Meta's Pocket is a physical, wearable product designed to act as a personal AI assistant. Early reports suggest it features a small, circular screen, a camera, and a microphone, enabling it to understand and respond to spoken commands and visual input. This move by Meta signals a significant push into the burgeoning market of AI hardware, aiming to integrate artificial intelligence more seamlessly into users' daily lives beyond the smartphone screen.\n\nThe implications of this new hardware are far-reaching. By developing its own AI-powered device, Meta is not only competing with established tech giants in the smart device space but also seeking to create a new ecosystem for its AI models. This could allow for more direct data collection and a more personalized user experience, potentially driving innovation in AI interaction. The success of Pocket will likely depend on its ability to offer unique functionalities that justify its existence alongside smartphones and other smart devices, and to navigate the privacy concerns inherent in wearable AI technology.\n\nAs Meta ventures further into the physical AI product landscape with Pocket, it raises questions about the future of personal technology. Will dedicated AI hardware become as ubiquitous as smartphones, or will it remain a niche product? photojournalism style ultra-detailed 4K

Original sourceThe Verge