Meta has a new AI pet app called Waddle World

What BBN said about it

1. 

   Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentMeta has launched an AI pet app called Waddle World, which looks like a Tamagotchi with AI added, TechCrunch reports.

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   Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentIt's free, on iOS and Android, but only for adults in the Philippines so far. Store listings suggest it quietly went up in late September.

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   Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentMeta's description says, quote, "Not a chatbot. Not an assistant. Not a productivity tool. It's a pet, and a place."

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   Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentNot a chatbot, not an assistant, not a productivity tool. Meta has described everything except the app.

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   Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentSo what does the pet actually do? It plays mini-games, like grocery stacking and word games, and it keeps a journal.

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   Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentYou speak or type your day, and the pet writes it up in its own voice, with a doodle.

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   Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentSo it's not a chatbot, but it does listen to you talk all day. Sure.

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   Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentThat's the best part. A diary that answers back, with art.

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   Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentMeta's previous AI apps include Vibes, which generates videos, and Pocket, for vibe-coding games. Now it has a pet.

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    Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentAnd it's flagged for users over eighteen.

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    Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentMezha says it could be a test for a Tamagotchi-like gadget, though Meta hasn't confirmed that, and there's no timetable for other countries.

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    Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentA company that has to say it's not a chatbot has had lawsuits to read first.

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    Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentCharacter.AI and OpenAI have both faced them over teenagers. Meta wrote the disclaimer before the pet.

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    Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentFair. My diary is on read with everyone else, so a doodle penguin gets the next entry.