News
What is changing across the AI companion space and why it matters.
- News
Memory, not conversation quality, is what separates these apps now
Across 22 tested AI companion apps, conversation quality varies by 2.2 points and memory by 3.8. That gap has changed how I rank the whole category.
- News
Video is the new battleground, and most of it is not ready
AI companion apps are racing to add video. After testing the ones that have it, here is what actually works, what it costs, and whether it is worth waiting for.
- News
The usable free tier is quietly disappearing
Free tiers in AI companion apps are turning into demos. What changed, which apps still offer something usable, and what it means if you started free.
- News
Voice is getting good enough to change how AI companion apps feel
Voice chat in AI companion apps has quietly crossed a quality line. Here is where the feature actually stands in 2026 and whether it is worth paying for.
- News
Age verification on AI companion apps is tightening, and signups are getting harder
AI companion apps are adding stricter age checks under regulatory pressure. Here is what is changing at signup and what it means for adult users.
- News
AI companion apps are going mainstream, and the stigma is fading
AI companion use is growing fast and the old stigma is fading. Here is an honest look at who is using these apps in 2026 and what the growth actually means.
- News
Video generation is arriving in AI companion apps, and it is a mixed bag
AI companion apps are starting to offer video, not just images. Here is where the feature actually stands, what it costs, and whether it is worth chasing yet.
- News
AI companion pricing is quietly moving from flat plans to credits
More AI companion apps are shifting from monthly plans to credit systems that cost more in practice. Here is what is changing and how to avoid overpaying.
- News
AI companion apps are facing real legal scrutiny, and it is overdue
Lawsuits and regulator attention are catching up with AI companion apps, especially around minors. Here is what is happening and what it means for users.
- News
Long-term memory is becoming the feature AI companion apps compete on
Memory that persists across weeks is quietly becoming the main battleground for AI companion apps. Here is why it matters and which approaches are winning.