ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok, has recently made a bold entry into the smart audio device market with its new AI-powered earbuds, Ola Friend. Initially available only in China for 1,199 yuan (approximately 155 euros), these innovative earbuds serve as a personal audio assistant, connecting to ByteDance’s proprietary AI assistant, Doubao. Each earbud weighs just 6.6 grams and comes in four colors: purple, silver, black, and white. Ola Friend’s standout feature is its ability to interact directly with Doubao’s chatbot without needing a smartphone. Users simply activate the assistant by saying “Doubao Doubao”.
TikTok’s AI earbuds are designed as versatile companions suitable for a range of situations. They can act as a tour guide during travel, assist in English practice, play music, or just offer a conversational presence. To make full use of the device’s capabilities, users need the Doubao mobile app, which currently boasts an impressive 47 million monthly active users in China.
The release of Ola Friend follows the company’s acquisition of Oladance, a company specializing in wearable audio devices, earlier this year.
ByteDance is not the only social media giant interested in AI-integrated wearables. Major tech players and startups alike are exploring this space. Meta, for instance, is focused on developing smart glasses, while startups such as Rabbit and Humane are experimenting with unconventional designs like the R1 device and the AI Pin.
Shipments of Ola Friend will begin in China on October 17, though it remains unclear when or if the product will be available in international markets.
