A small MSN Messenger-era USB accessory that many people had forgotten about is active again in 2026. The i-Buddy has been brought back to life, and it still lights up, changes color, and moves in response to chat activity.
The revival is notable because the device was never just a decorative trinket. It was designed to react physically to messages, making it one of the more unusual relics from the desktop chat era.
A physical notification from the MSN era
At its peak, the i-Buddy worked as a visual companion for MSN Messenger users. Its belly would glow when a favorite contact came online, its head could change color for certain actions such as an incoming nudge, and its body would move when a new message arrived.
That simple behavior captured a very specific moment in internet history, when chat alerts were often tied to objects sitting on a computer desk. Compared with modern push notifications, the appeal was more tactile and immediate.
Found new life through a retro hardware project
The device was rediscovered by YouTuber Rayly Retro, who reportedly bought an i-Buddy at a dollar shop. According to Hackaday, the unit was still in brand-new condition even though the product dates back to 2008.
Its design looks like an official MSN accessory because it uses the service’s logo shape, but it was actually made by Union Creations Limited rather than MSN itself. That detail adds to its odd place in the history of early desktop accessories.
| Key Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Device | i-Buddy |
| Original Release | 2008 |
| Behavior | Lights up, changes color, and moves |
| Maker | Union Creations Limited |
Why it needed more than a USB port
Bringing the accessory back was not as simple as plugging it into a computer and launching old software. Rayly Retro had to work through compatibility problems before the device could respond properly again.
One of the main hurdles was software support on Windows 7, which required a fix that had been shared in a forum post in 2024. That kind of community-maintained patching remains essential for aging hardware that depends on discontinued software.
Windows Live Messenger 2009 and Escargot made it possible
The device also needed the right messaging environment to function. Rayly Retro had to use Windows Live Messenger 2009, since the i-Buddy would not operate correctly with just any chat platform.
To complete the setup, the connection also relied on Escargot, a server that allowed the messenger client to connect and trigger the accessory’s reactions. Once those pieces were in place, the i-Buddy began moving and glowing again.
The result is a small but vivid reminder that hardware can outlast the digital services it was built around. The accessory itself survived, but it took old software, a replacement server, and a patch from the community to make the experience work again.
MSN Messenger was once one of the most recognizable chat services of its era, and the i-Buddy reflects how far online communication has shifted since then. In 2026, a tiny desktop companion from 2008 is once again showing that some forgotten gadgets still have a pulse.
