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the blog

close, in your own words.

Notes on connection, loneliness, and staying close to the people you love.

comparison

Uname vs Replika: the AI companion that texts you first

An honest comparison — proactive check-ins, group chat, privacy, and helping you reconnect with real people.

June 26, 2026 · 6 min read
the idea

AI that texts you first: the companion that reaches out

What it means when the AI goes first — plus how Uname's Bridge and Voices keep you close to real people.

June 26, 2026 · 5 min read
guide

best free AI companion apps in 2026

An honest look at the top free AI companion apps — and what actually makes one worth keeping.

June 26, 2026 · 6 min read
explainer

what is an AI companion?

A plain-English guide — what they are, how they differ from chatbots, and what to look for.

June 26, 2026 · 5 min read
connection

how to reconnect with someone you've drifted from

A warm, practical guide to reaching back out — what to say, how to start, and how to handle the awkwardness.

June 19, 2026 · 5 min read
connection

the friend who texts first

On loneliness, the quiet difficulty of reaching out first, and why we built Uname to go first.

June 19, 2026 · 4 min read