New AI assistant for Apple devices

MacPaw has introduced Eney, an AI assistant for Mac and iPhone users, designed to introduce agentive AI to those new to the concept. Eney operates on macOS 15 or newer and requires Apple Silicon chips (M series) on Macs. It is available in eight languages, including French, and can be downloaded from eney.ai or via Setapp.

Eney's development and purpose

The project began in 2019 with the aim of simplifying CleanMyMac through natural language commands. However, with the arrival of large language models and agentive AI, Eney evolved to chain multiple actions on its own, though it remains proactive but not autonomous. MacPaw's study indicates that 81% of U.S. Mac users would use AI within three months, but only 39% consider it part of their workflow, suggesting trust remains a barrier.

Eney's features and memory system

Eney features Mnemos, a memory system that retains user preferences and connects people, projects, and events in a database. Mnemos does not read or modify files or applications. Eney also offers features like Eney Wand, which interacts with screen content, and a spellchecker that consumes credits. It includes connectors to apps such as Mail, Calendar, Notes, Gmail, Google Calendar, Google Drive, and Google Tasks, as well as project management tools like Asana, Jira, and Notion.

Privacy and data handling

Privacy concerns arise as Eney sends data to third-party AI providers, including OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, and ElevenLabs, for processing. Cloud processing is enabled by default, and the policy does not describe a setting to disable it. Data retention periods vary, with some data stored up to 30 days. User data is not used to train third-party models and is not sold, according to MacPaw.

Eney's capabilities and features

Eney offers features like meeting transcription, which requires system access to microphone and audio recording, and the transcription is processed in the cloud via Setapp AI. It also provides workflows for tasks such as email summaries, planning the day, folder management, and health alerts.

Eney's market position and user experience

Eney is marketed as a mass-market agentive AI, targeting novices rather than advanced users who manage their own servers. It is not compatible with Microsoft 365, Trello, Todoist, or Zapier. Pricing includes a 14-day trial with 10,000 credits, followed by subscription tiers: Starter, Boost, and Power, with varying credit limits and prices.

Alternatives and user feedback

Alternatives to Eney include Meta's Muse and OpenAI's ChatGPT Dots, which offer similar functions but with different deployment models. Eney's interface is described as polished and dynamic, but it lacks an integrated launcher and has been criticized for intrusive elements like the Setapp app store shortcut. Users find it restrictive due to multiple approval requests and limited customization.