IFA 2026 Brings Physical AI Companions, Kindroid's Paid Conversion Jumps 25%
Physical AI Companions Take Center Stage at IFA Berlin 2026
This week at IFA Berlin 2026, two new physical AI companions made their European debuts, signaling a shift from screen-based chatbots to embodied devices. OlloBot unveiled OlloNi SS1, a companion robot designed around emotional connection rather than task efficiency. The device features an EmpathCore emotional intelligence engine, an Affinilog interaction system, and a Memory Heart Module that preserves meaningful memories to foster relationships that evolve over time. Meanwhile, Everthine showcased A1, a desktop AI companion that displays a real-time 3D character on an 8.01-inch curved OLED screen. The device includes long-term memory that can retain details from earlier conversations, recognize familiar faces, and develop its personality gradually. Everthine also emphasizes privacy, with end-to-end encryption for conversations and a policy that conversation data will never be used to train AI models. What this means for you: The AI companion space is moving beyond phone apps into dedicated hardware that lives on your desk or in your home. If you have been looking for a more persistent, always-on presence, these devices represent a new category worth watching.
Kindroid V2 Drives 25% Increase in Paid Conversions
Kindroid's V2 update, which rolled out to all users on August 10, is already showing measurable business results. According to a recent analysis, the update has increased paid conversion among brand new, non-returner users by 25 percent. The V2 update introduced Learned Context, a persistent memory layer that tracks how the relationship between human and AI develops over time, along with location awareness and an avatar slot system. However, the update also shifted the free tier from a perpetual limited experience to a more bounded preview, giving new users a taste of the full product before encouraging them to subscribe. This strategy reflects a broader trend across the AI companion space, where platforms are moving away from generous free tiers toward more aggressive monetization as development costs rise. Character.AI, for instance, introduced metering and usage limits on free chats starting May 1, 2026. What this means for you: If you are a free user of Kindroid or similar platforms, expect free tiers to become more restrictive over time. The days of unlimited free access to high-quality AI companions are numbered. For a full breakdown of Kindroid's features and pricing, see our Kindroid review.
Sharp Expands Poketomo Lineup with Second Character
Sharp Corporation announced on August 25 that it will launch a second Poketomo conversational AI character in December 2026, with plans to roll it out in Taiwan as well. The first Poketomo character, with an innocent personality, launched last December and has been building dialogues with users through both a robot and a dedicated smartphone app. The second character is inspired by a manga featured on Sharp's official X account and has a self-assured, slightly gruff personality that is not always straightforward but truly caring toward its users. One of the key new features is that when two Poketomo characters are near each other, they may start chatting spontaneously with one another. Sharp is also expanding the range of original accessories, including clothing, hats, and pouches for taking the companion on outings. A Poketomo Ambassador Program will also be launched to incorporate feedback from users. What this means for you: Major consumer electronics companies like Sharp are entering the AI companion space with physical products that blend hardware and software. If you are interested in a more tangible, robot-based companion experience, Poketomo offers an alternative to purely app-based platforms.
Grok Spins Off 3D AI Companions into Standalone App Animates
Grok has begun sunsetting its AI companion feature, with 3D AI companions like Ani moving to a standalone app called Animates after September 1. Grok has started prompting users with pop-ups about the migration, and Animates has confirmed that SpaceXAI is assisting in the transition. Animation Inc, the company behind Animates, was previously involved in creating 3D characters and animations for Grok Companions. This adjustment effectively spins off the 3D companion business from Grok, handing it over to the original team to continue operations. It is currently unclear whether chat records and long-term memory within Grok can be migrated along with the characters. What this means for you: If you have been using Grok's AI companions, you will need to migrate to Animates to continue your interactions. However, the lack of clarity around data migration means you may lose your chat history and long-term memory — a significant consideration if you have built a relationship with your companion over time.
SynClub Updates Novel Mode for Deeper Storytelling
Japanese AI chat app SynClub updated its Novel Mode on August 27, giving users more control over story time, place, perspective, and plot development. The update allows users to freely direct the narrative — for example, instructing the AI to take me somewhere else or skip to three years later — and the AI character continues the story naturally based on previous settings and character relationships. Responses are now displayed in three separate sections: narration, character actions, and dialogue, making it easier to follow the scene. The mode also supports the Next-Generation Voice Model Nova, allowing users to enjoy the story through character voices. What this means for you: If you enjoy immersive storytelling and roleplay, SynClub's updated Novel Mode offers a more interactive and controlled narrative experience. The ability to direct the story while the AI maintains consistency with past conversations is a notable step forward for character-driven AI chat.
Sources for This Roundup
The following primary sources were used to verify the developments covered above: OlloBot's official announcement of OlloNi SS1 at IFA Berlin 2026 (PRNewswire, September 4, 2026); Everthine's A1 showcase at IFA 2026 (Geeky Gadgets, September 5, 2026); Storychat's analysis of Kindroid V2's 25 percent paid conversion increase (Storychat Blog, August 26, 2026); Sharp's announcement of the second Poketomo character (Sharp Corporation, August 25, 2026); The BlockBeats report on Grok sunsetting AI companions and migrating to Animates (The BlockBeats, August 30, 2026); and SynClub's Novel Mode update announcement (Jiji Press, August 27, 2026). For our own hands-on evaluations of the platforms mentioned, see our reviews of Kindroid, Nomi.ai, Replika, and Candy.ai.
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