Meta Brings Live Voice And Avatar Chats To Muse Users In Us
Meta is expanding its Muse AI agent with real-time voice conversations and an animated avatar, with video chatting also available to US users, according to TechCrunch.
Meta has added real-time conversations with an animated avatar to its Muse AI agent in the US. TechCrunch reports that users can now call or video chat with Muse, while The Verge describes a voice mode in which the avatar animates as it speaks. The two outlets describe the availability differently: TechCrunch says Muse Voice is available to everyone in the US, while The Verge says voice mode and expressive avatars are rolling out now in the US app.
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What the new conversations look like
Muse’s avatar appears on screen during a conversation and moves in time with its responses. According to TechCrunch, Meta says the avatar makes expressions and gestures that fit the conversation’s tone. The company says Muse does not see the user; it listens and reacts to what the user says.
Users can change how the avatar looks, choosing a person, animal or another character, TechCrunch reports. The Verge says users can also adjust its voice: they can describe the tone they want and let Muse choose, or browse options in the avatar settings. The outlet tested the feature in an iOS app and found that Muse generally answered quickly, though it sometimes paused while looking up information or checking a request.
How Meta is expanding Muse
Meta first introduced the video-chat feature at its Connect developer conference in September, according to TechCrunch. The outlet says Meta’s Muse Realtime Avatar and Muse Realtime Voice technology help power the conversations. TechCrunch also reports that Meta sees the character-like avatar as a way to make people feel more connected to the agent.
Meta chief AI officer Alexandr Wang demonstrated the feature with a fluffy white dog avatar, TechCrunch reports. In the demonstration, he discussed his habit of posting memes, and Muse responded with a suggestion about adding disclaimers to posts that might otherwise be misunderstood as Meta endorsements.
Where Muse is available next
TechCrunch says the real-time conversations work on mobile, the web and Mac. The Verge specifically reports a US rollout in the app. Both outlets say the feature is planned for Meta’s AI glasses and its forthcoming Muse Charm device. TechCrunch describes Muse Charm as a small-screen wearable on which the avatar will appear and says Meta plans to launch it before the end of the year. The Verge likewise says the device is expected to ship this year.
Sources
This story was compiled by AI from the reports below. Read the originals for the full details.