Is 'Friend' the AI Wearable We've Been Waiting For?

Meet "Friend", the revolutionary open source AI wearable that's changing the game for personal privacy and data control.
In this exclusive interview, I unbox the "Friend" wearable and experience firsthand its incredible capabilities, from real-time conversation transcription to generating AI-powered insights, while diving into the crucial discussion around the ethical use of AI with Nik, the founder behind this cutting-edge device.
Whether you're an AI enthusiast, a privacy advocate, or simply curious about the latest in wearable tech, don't miss out on this unique and thought-provoking look at the "Friend" device and the open source AI community behind it.
VIDEO CHAPTERS
0:00 Meet "Friend"
0:46 Meeting Nik
1:12 Unboxing "Friend"
2:08 Phone Setup
2:58 Real-time AI-generated summaries of conversations
3:34 Founder Interview
3:49 Why did you start this project?
5:06 Data security concerns in cloud storage
6:14 Nik's Final Thoughts
7:21 Reflections on the wearable device and future use
#AIWearables #OpenSourceAI #FriendDevice #AIPrivacy #AIPioneers #WearableTech #AIInterviews

[@mikecane]

This is great! And a big surprise. Been watching your AI Pin coverage. And now here you are with Nik! Can you give us a primer on Friend's available apps and how to install them? They're not in the App Store, are they? Thanks for this! And good luck to Nik!

[@RayFernando1337]

I appreciate the support Mike! I’ll make some more content about it. Right now the app is behind a Test Flight and I think it’ll be more official after the first wave of kickstarter backers onboard. www.kickstarter.com/projects/kodjima333/friend-open-source-ai-wearable-recording-device

[@juanselobo]

This is such a creative idea im not 100% about the necklace form but this would be great as a keychain i wouldn't be interested in recording all my interactions but some of them specially insights that i have throughout my day or during walks and stuff like that

[@RayFernando1337]

I agree about the discovery of the form factor. The tough part about putting a microphone in other places would be noise and other factors that can interfere with the quality of the transcription.

[@juanselobo]

Do you have any idea how I can buy one? I checked the link, and the campaign is done. He is doing an event this weekend in SF, but I'm in Vancouver, CA, so I'm too far away for it! Any clues would be appreciated!

[@RayFernando1337]

It looks like they will be doing another campaign again after the current one has been distributed. Their waitlist is at basedhardware.com/

[@juanselobo]

@@RayFernando1337 Awesome! thank you!

[@trispytreems]

I really do love this! But itd be nice to be able to use regular earpods or some other Bluetooth device since as others have pointed out, this pendant just records to the app. Pretty neat app though!

[@RayFernando1337]

It’s totally possible. The software is open source.

[@fxkcorn]

A new video! Today is a good day

[@RayFernando1337]

Thank you for the support!

[@dtesta]

Hmm, I might be stupid, but sounds to me like the pendant is simply just a bluetooth microphone? What exactly is so special with that? Everything else is just software on the phone...

[@RayFernando1337]

Basically yes. Tab, developed by Avi Schiffmann, has raised $1.9 million in funding and hasn’t shipped. Tab is closed source. Friend is open source and was made in 48 hours from a hackathon and is now in customers hands.

[@dtesta]

@@RayFernando1337 So what's the difference from simply using a bluetooth earphone that has existed for ages? I still don't get it :)

[@ciptapesonamayapada]

Earphone mainly used for listening something alone not for picking up your conversation with someone else. You don't want to use earphone while talking to someone right? It is necklace because you can forget that you even using it. And if you talking about clip on bluetooth microphone, I think people more used to necklace than clipping mic to the shirt.

[@dtesta]

@@ciptapesonamayapada Sure, but the point is that it's just a mic in another form factor. Hardly revolutionary...

[@ciptapesonamayapada]

@@dtesta the revolutionary part is the software not the hardware, the challenge right now is how to fit the software to the right hardware so user doesn't feel awkward when using it

[@UwUSAH]

This would be great for the police! Every cop needs one. Also would be really great for Lawyers taking notes about their client and stuff. Really great for therapists who can be more engaging with their client, by not constantly looking at their notepad, and instead look at their client. The possibilities are endless!

[@RayFernando1337]

I am excited about these use cases.

[@Luiblonc]

Hi Ray, this is an amazing device! How can I get this device, to get started?

[@RayFernando1337]

Nik has a kickstarter here and you can also try reaching him on twitter @kodjima33 www.kickstarter.com/projects/kodjima333/friend-open-source-ai-wearable-recording-device

[@b1s9l]

Very interesting video! I'd prefer to have some more insight or testing of the device itself for future videos. While the whole video really shows your enthusiasm, the outro in your living room feels very scripted/ unnatural. Anyways you got my follow!

[@RayFernando1337]

Thanks for the feedback! I'll definitely include more in-depth testing of the device in future videos and work on better organizing the flow for my videos. I'm still new to this stuff and I'm excited about tech, especially AI related things.

[@b1s9l]

@@RayFernando1337 Your excitement really shows and I'm excited for more videos!

[@ProductBasement]

This is illegal in like half the states in the US because they require consent from both parties to record conversations

[@RayFernando1337]

Yeah you just simply ask for consent then flip the switch.

[@ashwin372]

add camera and you have a spy cam

[@RayFernando1337]

Low key…

[@OrionCamps]

privacy out the window

[@RayFernando1337]

Crazy right? What if your friends wore them? What would you do?

[@pixelperfectpravin]

Selling it by the word Open Source on the name of security is kinda stupid Because as shown that community app is receiving the data - which anyone can build? If that's the case - then it's on them on how they handle the data

[@RayFernando1337]

It’s open source because you can see where the data is stored and you can use your own endpoint to secure the processing of the data.

[@koz]

Nope

[@RayFernando1337]

Yurrrr

[@zamarion101]

"ittl record everything all day" fuck no. and now ill have to check peoples neck if theyre wearing one of these and not talk to them..

[@RayFernando1337]

Who knew checking people's necks would become a new conversation starter?

[@CruzMonrreal]

Bluetooth mic with app? And naybe AI in the backend? Please dont try an normalize data collection...

[@RayFernando1337]

Yeah, let's keep an eye on that data collection stuff.

[@Dojan5]

No, because no one is waiting for an AI wearable.

[@RayFernando1337]

It's always interesting to hear different perspectives on new tech trends.

[@Thomas-vm1jy]

vaporware scam

[@RayFernando1337]

Nah fam. It’s open source and I just got the product after buying it on kickstarter.

[@duke605]

Inb4 it's a scam

[@trispytreems]

How can an open source project be a scam?

[@RayFernando1337]

Nah fam. It’s open source. You good bro?