Sesame, an AI startup co-founded by Oculus founders Brendan Iribe and Michael Antonov, along with other former Oculus employees, launched a public preview of its conversational AI iOS app on May 28, 2026. The app, available on the Apple App Store, introduces AI agents designed for natural, voice-based interactions.
The company has been developing these agents for over a year, focusing on creating realistic and engaging conversational experiences. The app aims to differentiate itself from other AI assistants by emphasizing emotional intelligence and contextual awareness in conversations.
Sesame's technology builds on advances in large language models and speech synthesis. The startup has raised significant funding from investors including Andreessen Horowitz and Spark Capital, though specific amounts were not disclosed in the announcement.
The public preview is currently limited to iOS devices in the United States, with plans for broader availability and additional features in future updates. Users can download the app for free, with optional in-app purchases for premium features.
