Omi: AI Productivity Tool & Brain Interface - A Friend Alternative

Based Hardware Launches Omi, an AI Wearable for Enhanced Productivity

During this week’s Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, San Francisco-based startup Based Hardware unveiled its new AI wearable, named Omi. The device is designed to significantly improve user productivity.

Device Functionality and Design

Omi is conceived as a wearable necklace, activated through voice command with the phrase “Hey Omi.”

Furthermore, the startup proposes an alternative mounting method – attachment to the head using medical tape – leveraging a “brain interface” to detect when the user is directly addressing the device.

A Name Change and Competitive Landscape

Initially marketed as “Friend” by founder Nik Shevchenko on Kickstarter, the device underwent a rebranding.

This change occurred after another San Francisco-based hardware company launched its own “Friend” device and subsequently acquired the corresponding domain name for $1.8 million.

The Rise of AI-Driven Devices

Recent years have witnessed a surge in AI-powered devices.

Rabbit, launched at last year’s CES, garnered attention as a potential smartphone alternative.

Other contenders, including Humane, Friend, and Ray-Ban Meta, have attempted to define a new generation of consumer hardware, though initial expectations haven’t been fully realized.

Omi’s Unique Approach

Shevchenko is pursuing a distinct strategy with Omi.

Rather than positioning it as a smartphone replacement or an AI companion, the goal is for Omi to function as a complementary tool, augmenting the user’s existing smartphone capabilities and boosting overall productivity.

Technical Specifications and Pricing

The Omi device itself is a compact, spherical unit, visually resembling a Mentos candy.

A consumer version is priced at $89 and is slated for release in the second quarter of 2025.

A developer version is currently available for purchase at approximately $70 for immediate delivery.

Core Capabilities

Based Hardware asserts that Omi can respond to inquiries, summarize conversations, generate to-do lists, and facilitate meeting scheduling.

The device continuously processes user conversations through GPT-4o, while also retaining contextual information to deliver personalized recommendations.

Addressing Privacy Concerns

In an interview with TechCrunch, Shevchenko acknowledged potential privacy issues associated with a constantly listening device.

To mitigate these concerns, Omi is built on an open-source platform, providing users with transparency regarding data usage and the option to store data locally.

Open-Source Flexibility

Omi’s open-source nature empowers developers to create custom applications and utilize their preferred AI models.

Currently, over 250 applications are available on Omi’s app store, according to the company.

Funding and Marketing Efforts

Based Hardware has secured approximately $700,000 in funding, with $150,000 allocated to promotional videos filmed in Los Angeles.

Shevchenko actively participated in directing these videos and expressed confidence in the marketing investment.

The Importance of User Base

“The user base is fundamentally the core driver of the product itself,” Shevchenko stated.

“Increased awareness translates to product improvement, given our open-source foundation.”

The “Brain Interface” – Functionality and Testing

The functionality of Omi’s “brain interface” remains to be definitively proven.

The initial application focuses on enabling the device to recognize when a user is speaking to it, without requiring a wake word.

Demonstration of the Brain Interface

During a demonstration for TechCrunch, Shevchenko closed his eyes and inquired, “Can you tell me about TechCrunch?” without using a wake word.

While his eyes were closed, he concentrated on the device attached to his head.

Omi subsequently provided a summary of TechCrunch and highlighted its relevance to the upcoming product launch.

A Response to Competition

Following Avi Schiffmann’s launch of Friend, Shevchenko released a diss track on X, asserting his device was “the original Friend.”

While acknowledging Omi as a distinct product, Shevchenko noted the availability of a Friend-like application within Omi’s app store.

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