Meta launches voice mode with animated avatar for Muse AI agent
Meta has launched a voice mode in the US for its Muse AI agent featuring an animated avatar that reacts in real time; the feature was announced by Mark Zuckerberg. It will soon also be added to AI glasses and the Muse Charm gadget.
Meta has launched a voice mode for its Muse AI agent featuring an animated avatar. The feature was first unveiled at the Connect 2026 conference and, according to Meta Newsroom, is now being rolled out in the Muse app for mobile, web, and Mac in the US; the announcement was made personally by Mark Zuckerberg. A journalist from The Verge tested the feature specifically in the iOS app and described the agent as responding quickly, though it occasionally pauses when searching for information, similar to the text chat.
The technology, built on Muse Realtime Voice and Muse Realtime Avatar, enables a smooth conversation similar to talking with a human — the agent responds instantly, can be interrupted, and the avatar animates during speech using expressions and gestures matching the tone of the conversation. Users can choose from hundreds of voices (according to Meta, for example "New Yorker energy" or a "pirate vibe") and select whether to display just the voice, the avatar alongside the conversation text, or the avatar in full screen. The tone of the voice can be changed in the avatar settings or by directly asking the agent.
According to Meta, the feature will soon expand to Meta's AI glasses and the upcoming Muse Charm gadget, which, according to The Verge, is expected to launch later this year. The Verge journalist also stated that, in their specific case (an avatar resembling Mark Zuckerberg), the avatar's animation felt "uncanny," and that they were unable to set the agent's voice to sound exactly like Zuckerberg.
Why it matters
Voice mode with an avatar brings the Muse AI agent closer to a conversation that feels like talking with a human — with instant responses, the option to interrupt, and expressive animation matching the tone of the conversation. For regular users in the US, this is a new way to use a voice-based AI assistant in activities where typing isn't practical (walking, cooking, interview prep). The planned expansion to AI glasses and the Muse Charm gadget shows that Meta is building this technology as a shared layer across several of its devices.
What was added since the original report
Verified updates
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The avatar animates in sync with the agent's speech during voice communication; Mark Zuckerberg publicly announced the launch of the feature; Voice mode is specifically in the Muse iOS app; Users can change the tone of the agent's voice in the avatar settings; The feature has already been tested by an editorial source and is functional
- The avatar animates in sync with the agent's speech during voice communication
- Mark Zuckerberg publicly announced the launch of the feature
- Voice mode is specifically in the Muse iOS app
- Users can change the tone of the agent's voice in the avatar settings
- The feature has already been tested by an editorial source and is functional
Relevant practical impact
What this means
For individuals
Users can now talk out loud in real time with the Muse AI agent and have the avatar react with expressions and gestures matching the tone of the conversation, including the option to interrupt it.
Check the original
Event sources
independently confirmed · 2 publishers, 1 independent. We count feeds from the same owner only once.