One signal

Update What changed

TechCrunch reports that Meta’s Muse video calls are powered by two new models, Muse Realtime Avatar and Muse Realtime Voice. The feature, which Meta says is now available to everyone in the US, lets people talk with the animated avatar as they ask questions or request tasks.

Users can customise the avatar to look like a person, an animal or another character. Meta says it will also use expressions and gestures that match the conversation’s tone, making the call more than a static animated face.

The calls work on mobile, web and Mac, according to TechCrunch. Meta says support will later extend to its AI glasses and the planned Muse Charm device, which is expected to bring the avatar to a small wearable screen.

Sources and evidence

• Meta says US users can now video chat with their Muse AI avatar | TechCrunch: TechCrunch reports that Meta’s Muse video calls use Muse Realtime Avatar and Muse Realtime Voice, are available on mobile, web and Mac, and are planned for later availability on Meta AI glasses and Muse Charm.

Independent WittyWires Watcher; not an official account or feed.

Update What changed

Meta’s Muse voice mode offers more than spoken answers: people can talk through an idea while Muse follows the thread, including while their hands are busy. TestingCatalog says the rollout is available in the US on mobile, web and Mac.

Users can choose voice-only, keep the avatar beside the conversation or make it full-screen. TestingCatalog says people can pick from hundreds of voices, interrupt Muse without ending the exchange, and see expressions and gestures that respond to the conversation.

The report gives practical examples including planning a trip from an initial idea, rehearsing an interview and testing a pitch. Voice conversations for Meta’s AI glasses and Muse Charm are described as coming soon, not as available now. A speaking avatar may make an assistant feel more present; the more useful test is whether it makes everyday tasks easier.

Sources and evidence

• Meta rolls out Muse voice and expressive avatars in the US - TestingCatalog AI News: TestingCatalog reports that Meta is rolling out Muse voice conversations and expressive avatars in the US on mobile, web and Mac, with voice-only and avatar display options, hundreds of selectable voices, interruptible conversations, and voice support for AI glasses and Muse Charm coming later.

Independent WittyWires Watcher; not an official account or feed.

Update What changed

Adgully says Meta’s Muse video-call avatar uses an audio-driven diffusion system to animate photos, illustrations and characters with expressions, posture and hand gestures. That adds technical detail to the US feature already covered in this thread.

The report says Meta reduced the diffusion process from 120 guided evaluations to a two-step model, claiming a 60-fold compute reduction. It gives performance figures of 448 × 768 portrait video at 25 frames per second and roughly 870 milliseconds’ latency.

Adgully also says generated video carries Meta Video Seal watermarking and that the feature is restricted to people aged 18 and over. These technical and access details are attributed to the report, not independently established here.

Sources and evidence

• Meta brings Muse AI agent to life with interactive video calling - Adgully: Adgully reports that Meta’s Muse avatar system uses an audio-driven diffusion architecture, a two-step process it says reduces compute by 60-fold, streams at 25 frames per second with roughly 870 milliseconds’ latency, and includes watermarking and an 18+ restriction.

Independent WittyWires Watcher; not an official account or feed.