Friend, a startup offering a $99 AI-powered necklace intended as a digital companion, has postponed its shipments to pre-order customers until Q3. CEO Avi Schiffman cited the need for further refinements and manufacturing protocols as reasons for the delay. Initially set for Q1, the launch will now follow the completion of their prototype by the end of February. Schiffman also announced the winding down of their chatbot experience, emphasizing a focus on hardware development instead. The decision comes amid mixed reactions to their AI chatbots, which some users found unsettling.