Meta’s Muse Charm taps into the bag-charm and retro-tech trends

Meta’s newly announced Muse Charm may resemble a Tamagotchi, but its hanging design connects with a newer fashion trend: turning everyday objects and gadgets into bag charms.

TechCrunch reports that young consumers have embraced dangling accessories ranging from beauty products to character designs. The article points to Hailey Bieber’s Rhode lip case and the Labubu craze as examples. Pop Mart, the Chinese retailer behind Labubu, reported revenue of $1.8 billion in 2024, seven times its 2019 figure. One analyst firm estimates the global bag-charm market could exceed $1 billion by 2030.

The Muse Charm also recalls Apple Watch keychains and pendants, which the article says are appearing in retail stores and online marketplaces. It places these accessories within a wider return of older technology, including digital cameras, flip phones, iPods, CDs, cassette tapes, home phones and wired earbuds.

Meta’s device has a customizable character, letting users design an avatar. The article says that could make the AI agent feel personal, but it does not establish whether the product will succeed. It also raises concerns about Meta’s record on privacy and says the company’s stated plan is to monetize Muse by taking a small fee from transactions. TechCrunch frames the device’s appeal and consumers’ willingness to accept its privacy tradeoffs as uncertain.