ByteDance Leverages AI with $170 Ola Friend Earbuds: An Ambitious Foray into Wearable Tech in China

ByteDance, the company that owns TikTok, has introduced earbuds priced at $170 in China, aiming to expand into the market of AI wearables. The earbuds, named Ola Friend, are connected to ByteDance's own chatbot, Doubao, which is currently the top GenAI app in China.

The Ola Friend, an open-ear wearable device, is presently only sold in China. Its purpose is to act as an audio aid for individuals who may be on the move, studying English, enjoying tunes, or just seeking companionship, as per the product's details.

Each of the earbuds, available in purple, silver, black, and white, has a weight of 6.6 grams. The gadget, priced at 1,199 yuan (equivalent to US$170), is scheduled for delivery starting October 17. It can be purchased from Alibaba Group Holding's Tmall marketplace, the online shopping site JD.com, and Douyin, ByteDance's counterpart of TikTok in China.

Alibaba is the proprietor of the South China Morning Post.