Sesame, the conversational AI startup from Oculus founders, launches its iOS app

Sesame, an innovative startup co-founded by the visionaries behind Oculus, has just unveiled its much-anticipated iOS app, marking a significant breakthrough in conversational AI technology. This new application is designed to transform the way users interact with AI, moving beyond the conventional chatbot experience that has become commonplace with platforms like ChatGPT. In its launch announcement, Sesame highlighted the ongoing challenge in AI communication: balancing the speed of responses with the depth of thought. The company stated, "There’s an inherent tension between replying quickly and taking the time to compose thoughtful responses. A slower response is usually more correct, but it can also feel unnatural if it takes too long." To overcome this, Sesame has developed advanced search and retrieval systems that provide real-time information. This allows the AI to conduct multiple parallel searches while conversing, enabling it to deliver more human-like interactions. The app features four unique AI agents—Maya, Miles, Simone, and Charlie—each characterized by distinct personalities, voices, and points of view. Maya and Miles were previously part of Sesame’s Research Preview, which garnered over a million users shortly after its launch. This success is underscored by the backing of Sequoia, one of Sesame’s investors, during its recent $250 million Series B funding round. During the beta phase, Sesame actively incorporated user feedback, introducing several new functionalities. These include search cards for visual references, a notes feature for easy information capture, a texting mode for silent interactions, and an option for deeper exploration of topics. Additionally, a new incognito mode allows for private discussions while preserving context without retaining memory. However, this iOS app is merely a stepping stone in Sesame's broader vision for AI, which includes plans for intelligent eyewear set to launch in 2027. The company hints at future developments where these agents will evolve beyond mere conversation, potentially enabling them to perform tasks on users' behalf, thus embodying the term "agents". This evolution could lead to a more intuitive interaction model, where users can communicate naturally without needing to formulate precise commands. Currently available in 39 countries, the app is free for users, although there may be a sign-up waitlist. An Android version is also in the works, promising to expand accessibility in the near future.