I built an AI Tamagotchi before Meta could

<figure> <img alt="A silver pendant touchscreen computer with a cute little tamagotchi like mascot on screen." data-caption="" data-portal-copyright="Photo by Sean Hollister / The Verge" data-has-syndication-rights="1" src="https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/10/verge-sean-hollister-muse-gadget-331A2564-01-3.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;crop=4,0,96,94.899920311255" /> <figcaption> </figcaption> </figure> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">Mark Zuckerberg's Meta <a href="https://www.theverge.com/column/999999/optimizer-meta-muse-ai-cute">made AI look so stinking cute</a> by giving it a squishy little face - and this holiday season, he wants to sell you <a href="https://www.theverge.com/tech/999750/muse-charm-meta-ai-hardware">a Muse Charm</a> so you can carry your jolly AI helper around like a Tamagotchi.</p> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">But I won't be buying one, because <em>we have Muse Charm at home</em>. It cost just $50, and I've decided the learning experience was worth it.</p> <div class="tiktok-embed"><a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@verge/video/7702862550014168333" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">View Link</a></div> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">My version doesn't <a href="https://www.theverge.com/tech/999944/meta-muse-charm-ai-interact-5g-modem">sport cameras or a 5G cellular radio</a>, but it really talks to Muse and has cute avatars, too! It doubles as a pocket watch and a remote camera viewfinder, and it can (theoretically) control my smart home.</p> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">Or at least it can if you inject a lot of extra vibe code.</p> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">Weeks …</p> <p><a href="https://www.theverge.com/gadgets/1013375/muse-charm-gadgets-preview-waveshare-esp32-claude-vibe-code">Read the full story at The Verge.</a></p>