Verge writer builds a $50 DIY Muse Charm on Waveshare hardware
Original title: I built an AI Tamagotchi before Meta could
Claude Code added voice replies, a camera shutter, custom avatars and a Tamagotchi-style game to Meta's sample gadget.
A Verge writer bought a Waveshare ESP32-S3 1.75C pendant for $50 and connected it to Meta's Muse cloud using Meta's open-source gadget code and the Muse phone app. The stock build was slow, showed only a few words at a time, and did not speak replies or discover smart-home devices. Using Claude Code, the writer added conversation history, an ElevenLabs voice, remote camera controls, extra avatars, a pet minigame and a pocket-watch face, while keeping the device on guest Wi-Fi.
Unconfirmed: The writer says they cannot judge whether the Claude-generated code is sound or fatally flawed.
- The hardware is a 1.75-inch Waveshare ESP32-S3 1.75C touchscreen pendant.
- Meta's sample build initially treated spoken audio as transcription clips.
- The writer says Meta server lag remains the main delay.
- The writer does not trust Muse with email or a home network after a reported address leak.
- Vendors
- MetaWaveshareElevenLabs
From the original article
5 min read at theverge.com
Mark Zuckerberg's Meta made AI look so stinking cute by giving it a squishy little face - and this holiday season, he wants to sell you a Muse Charm so you can carry your jolly AI helper around like a Tamagotchi. But I won't be buying one, because we have Muse Charm at home. It cost just $50, and I've decided the learning experience was worth it.
By Sean Hollister · theverge.com
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