Meta quietly launched an ‘AI pet journal’ app

If you use Meta's AI assistants, you may find your conversations are now being logged and used to train your virtual pet.

Meta has quietly released Waddle World, a "tamagotchi-style" virtual pet application that functions as a daily journal. Available initially for adults in the Philippines, the app features 16-bit pixel pets that engage in conversations and create doodles. Users are encouraged to speak with their pets and play simple games, with the app marketed as a low-pressure, relaxing escape rather than a competitive game. This launch coincides with Meta's broader push into AI, including its Muse AI agent and associated Charm gadgets. Meta also reportedly launched an AI fashion app, Style Sketch, in select Southeast Asian markets, though its availability could not be independently verified. The company has not disclosed plans for wider release of either application.

The quiet release of Waddle World and Style Sketch suggests Meta is exploring new avenues for AI integration and user engagement beyond its core social platforms. By framing these applications as casual, journal-like experiences, Meta aims to gather user data in a less intrusive manner, potentially for training more personalized AI models. This approach could signal a shift towards AI as a companion and creative tool, rather than solely a functional assistant.

These releases, particularly Waddle World's focus on conversational AI and journaling, point to Meta's ongoing experimentation with how AI can foster emotional connection and personal expression. The company's strategy appears to involve testing AI functionalities in diverse markets before a potential global rollout, allowing for iterative improvements based on regional user adoption and feedback.