Latest news with #Bee
Canada News.Net
2 hours ago
- Business
- Canada News.Net
Amazon buys startup behind wristband that transcribes conversations
SAN FRANCISCO, California: Amazon is making a fresh bet on artificial intelligence wearables by acquiring Bee, a San Francisco-based startup known for its AI-powered bracelet that records, transcribes, and summarizes conversations. The device, priced at US$50, can distill what it hears into to-do lists, summaries, and reminders. Its always-on microphone can be muted manually, offering users some control over privacy — a point Amazon emphasized in confirming the deal this week. While the acquisition has not yet closed, the e-commerce and cloud services giant said it plans to collaborate with Bee to enhance user transparency and control. Bee co-founder and CEO Maria de Lourdes Zollo revealed the deal in a LinkedIn post, writing: "We imagined a world where AI is truly personal, where your life is understood and enhanced by technology that learns with you." She did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The startup was founded in 2022 and has been part of a growing wave of companies experimenting with on-the-go AI assistants. Amazon declined to disclose financial terms of the acquisition. This move follows Amazon's earlier, less successful attempt at entering the wearables market with its Halo wristband, a health tracker that was discontinued in 2023. It also produces Echo Frames, smart glasses embedded with its voice assistant Alexa. AI wearables have become an increasingly competitive space. Earlier this year, OpenAI acquired io, a hardware startup founded by former Apple designer Jony Ive, in a deal reportedly valued at $6.5 billion. Other startups in the field have delivered mixed results, with many still navigating technical, privacy, and market adoption hurdles. In her announcement, Zollo thanked Amazon Devices chief Panos Panay, hinting that Bee will be integrated into his team after the deal's completion. Panay joined Amazon in 2023 and has been leading a revamp of the company's hardware division to focus more aggressively on AI.
Forbes
3 hours ago
- Business
- Forbes
Amazon's Bold Move Into Wearable AI: The Bee Acquisition
Amazon acquires Bee, a SF-based manufacturer of AI-powered wristband. Amazon has made a bold move in the world of wearable technology by acquiring Bee, a San Francisco startup known for its affordable, AI-powered wristband. The device passively listens, learns from your day-to-day conversations, and offers helpful prompts—hands-free. Say you mumble about a meeting, and it shows up on your calendar. Mention you're low on groceries, and you get a reminder to stop at the store. Unlike Amazon's earlier attempts at wearables, Bee isn't about tracking steps—it's about bringing proactive, intelligent assistance into your daily routine. Why does this matter? Amazon has tried wearables before—with mixed results. Its Halo Band fitness tracker was discontinued in 2023, and while Echo Frames (its smart glasses with Alexa built-in) are still around, they've struggled to gain traction. With competitors like Meta's Ray-Bans offering built-in cameras and growing in popularity, Amazon may refresh the Echo Frames line to stay relevant. But the Bee acquisition signals more than just another attempt at wearables. It's a shift in strategy. With Apple, Meta, Google, and others pushing into AI-powered devices, Amazon is betting that Bee could be the missing piece that sets it apart in the race to build a more intelligent, more intuitive digital assistant. Bee's flagship product is a $49.99 wristband (plus a $19/month subscription) that continuously listens (unless muted) and turns ambient conversations and sounds into reminders, summaries, and actionable to-do lists. Its low price and broad functionality may make it a compelling option in the wearable device category. By integrating Bee's technology, Amazon can enhance Alexa, bolster its AI efforts, and further integrate its hardware, software, and cloud services under the AWS umbrella. It's a strategic move to stay competitive in the increasingly crowded AI wearables space. On the technical side, Bee offers real-time voice transcription, contextual task automation, and near-continuous voice input—all steps toward a future where digital help is available without needing to ask. The wristband already supports the Apple Watch, with Android and broader integrations on the way. With added features like water resistance, improved battery life, and multi-language support, Bee aims to become a true companion device—essentially a smart extension of your phone on your wrist. Still, there are real concerns. The biggest worry is privacy. Bee's always-on microphone brings up obvious surveillance concerns—not just for users, but for anyone around them. Even though Bee claims it doesn't retain audio files or use recordings to train its AI, Amazon's track record with data privacy (consider Ring cameras' vulnerabilities) makes many skeptical that those promises will be kept. There's also the issue of legality. In states with two-party consent laws, recording someone without their permission—whether intentionally or unintentionally—can be a legal minefield. That could open Amazon up to lawsuits, regulatory action, or public backlash. More broadly, there's the question of whether people are ready—or willing—to normalize "always listening" devices in public and private spaces. What does it mean for how we communicate and how we think about privacy if passive surveillance becomes the norm? What's most interesting about this acquisition is the opportunity it presents—if Amazon can win over consumer trust. If the company can convincingly safeguard user data, Bee could set the standard for what AI wearables look like in the near future. If successful, it positions Amazon to influence how personal assistants operate, how ambient intelligence is integrated into everyday life, and how privacy is managed in a world of continuous digital listening. However, these opportunities also come with legal, ethical, and reputational challenges that Amazon must address. Disclosure: Amazon, Google and Apple subscribe to Creative Strategies research reports along with many other high tech companies around the world.
Phone Arena
a day ago
- Business
- Phone Arena
Amazon's latest move feels like the future tapping you on the shoulder
Video credit – Bee We've seen this future before – in sci-fi Receive the latest Accessories news Subscribe By subscribing you agree to our terms and conditions and privacy policy Amazon + Bee = mainstream AI on your wrist What makes this moment feel like a turning point is who is making the moves. Bee started as a niche startup, but now that Amazon's already gone all-in on AI. And it's not just Amazon making waves here. What makes this moment feel like a turning point is who is making the moves. Bee started as a niche startup, but now that Amazon owns it, we could be looking at a future where AI wearables like this become widely available – and way more already gone all-in on AI. Just look at the new version of Alexa , which now uses generative AI to be more helpful (and more human). So it's not hard to imagine a future where Alexa doesn't just live in a speaker – it lives on your wrist, learns from your voice and helps run your life more it's not just Amazon making waves here. Everyone wants in on AI wearables , which let you interact with your own personal Meta AI assistant. For $299, they basically look like regular sunglasses, but smarter. And honestly, considering Ray-Bans already go for that much without AI, the pricing actually makes sense. Meta, for example, has its Ray-Ban smart glasses , which let you interact with your own personal Meta AI assistant. For $299, they basically look like regular sunglasses, but smarter. And honestly, considering Ray-Bans already go for that much without AI, the pricing actually makes sense. Video credit – Meta Then there's Then there's the Rabbit R1 – a $199 standalone AI gadget that's small, portable and loaded with possibilities. It can handle tasks like playing music, ordering groceries, texting friends and planning your route – all with just your voice. It's like a personal assistant that fits in your hand and doesn't judge your snack choices. Humane AI Pin simply did not work as promised. | Video credit – Humane We scroll, swipe, snap pics, text, and yes, doomscroll until 2 a.m. Even when we say we want less screen time, we don't really mean it. At first, I was skeptical – we're pretty attached to our screens, after all. We scroll, swipe, snap pics, text, and yes, doomscroll until 2 a.m. Even when we say we want less screen time, we don't really mean it. But here's the twist: whether or not we want these devices isn't really the point. Tech moves forward – with or without us If there's one thing sci-fi has taught us – and also just, you know, history – it's that new tech doesn't always appear because people are asking for it. It appears because companies can build it, market it, and eventually make us feel like we need it. We weren't begging for smartphones in 2006, but now try going a day without one. Same story might play out here. Right now, I'm not sure I need an AI bracelet that records everything I say. Honestly, it sounds exhausting. But give it time, and we might all be wearing these things – not just because we want to, but because the tech world has already decided they're the next big thing. And once people start using them and realizing they are helpful, it's game over. They'll be everywhere. And that brings us back to Bee. I don't think Amazon randomly decided to buy a little AI wearable startup. This feels like a move made with full awareness that something bigger is coming – like that mysterious OpenAI + Jony Ive project. Amazon wants to be ready. It wants to compete. And sure, some tech giants are quiet for now (think So yeah, AI wearables might feel a bit weird right now. But if they start coming from the biggest tech names – not just small startups – they're going to hit the mainstream fast. And the moment they become truly useful (or just cool enough to flex), we'll probably stop questioning whether we need them at all. Because the future doesn't ask for permission. It just shows up. If there's one thing sci-fi has taught us – and also just, you know, history – it's that new tech doesn't always appear because people are asking for it. It appears because companies can build it, market it, and eventually make us feel like we need weren't begging for smartphones in 2006, but now try going a day without one. Same story might play out here. Right now, I'm not sure I need an AI bracelet that records everything I say. Honestly, it sounds exhausting. But give it time, and we might all be wearing these things – not just because we want to, but because the tech world has already decided they're the next big once people start using them and realizing they are helpful, it's game over. They'll be that brings us back to Bee. I don't think Amazon randomly decided to buy a little AI wearable startup. This feels like a move made with full awareness that something bigger is coming – like that mysterious OpenAI + Jony Ive project. Amazon wants to be ready. It wants to sure, some tech giants are quiet for now (think Apple ), but I wouldn't be surprised if Apple is waiting in the wings with something shiny and polished. You know, classic Apple style – show up late, but somehow still yeah, AI wearables might feel a bit weird right now. But if they start coming from the biggest tech names – not just small startups – they're going to hit the mainstream fast. And the moment they become truly useful (or just cool enough to flex), we'll probably stop questioning whether we need them at the future doesn't ask for permission. It just shows up. And yeah, I know – that's both kind of brilliant and kind of creepy. But instead of focusing on the "how bad could this go" angle (which, let's face it, is a long list), I want to look at what this means for the future of AI gadgets. Because with big tech players putting real money into AI hardware, it's clear something big is coming.A lot of the tech we now consider totally normal was once just science fiction. Take video calls – Jules Verne basically predicted them back in the 1800s with something he called the "phonotelephote." Or E.T.A. Hoffmann's story The Sandman, which gave us Olympia – a lifelike automaton that made people question what was real and what wasn't. Sound familiar?Then later there's Star Trek, the OG tech influencer. Between the communicators, tricorders and talking computers, they basically beta-tested half the gadgets we use now. Honestly, tech companies should owe that show royalties at this fast forward to today. We've got video calls in our pockets, smart assistants in our kitchens and AI that can write your emails, translate conversations or help you plan a vacation. The line between fiction and reality is already pretty blurry. And with wearables like Bee, it's about to get even blurrier.
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
Amazon's sinister new gadget makes Alexa speakers look tame
Amazon is buying AI bracelet maker Bee in a major move to dominate the next wave of personal tech. The wristbands — which cost $50 — record everything you say, even when you're talking to yourself, and sync with your phone via Bluetooth. Powered by AI models from Anthropic, Google and Meta, Bee turns your day into a searchable database, creating personalized to-do lists and even tracking how many times you swear. Unlike Amazon's Alexa devices — which are meant to listen only after a 'wake word' — Bee's bracelets are always on unless switched off, giving them access to far more user data to train AI models. Bee CEO Maria de Lourdes Zollo said she was 'excited' to be joining Amazon and to bring 'truly personal, agentic AI to even more customers.' 'When we started Bee, we imagined a world where AI is truly personal, where your life is understood and enhanced by technology that learns with you,' she wrote on LinkedIn. The deal, still pending closure, comes as wearable AI gadgets flood the market. Meta is pushing its Ray-Ban AI glasses and Google has launched Gemini-powered earbuds. Bee CEO Maria de Lourdes Zollo said she was 'excited' to be joining Amazon Amazon's latest acquisition marks a shift forward from its Echo and Alexa products Because Bee is always listening, it can collect far more data per user — feeding the constant stream of information needed to train large language models. A spokesperson for Amazon told the Daily Mail that a deal had been signed with Bee but that the agreement is yet to close. Alongside the proliferation of new gadgets the rise of AI has already led to increased automation and consequent layoffs. Microsoft will eliminate thousand of positions this month as it makes deeper investments in the tech. Amazon and Ford's CEOs have also said they're planning on slashing staff to use more generative models. Once-dominant Intel also announced plans to cut around 2,400 jobs.
Miami Herald
2 days ago
- Health
- Miami Herald
Watch out Fitbit and Apple Watch, Amazon has entered the chat
You've seen them on wrists and fingers everywhere - at the gym, in the office, on the subway. Smartwatches and fitness trackers have become the quiet uniform of modern life. For many, they track steps. For others, they serve as sleep monitors, heart rate checkers, or reminders to stand every hour. But despite their popularity, most of these devices do the exact same thing. And frankly, they've started to Whether it's an Apple Watch, a Fitbit, or a Garmin, the core experience hasn't evolved much over the past few years. Related: Amazon's latest products go after a new type of customer Sure, there are better sensors and more polished apps. But the function is nearly identical: collecting health data and feeding it back to you in yet another dashboard you'll probably stop checking. What wearables haven't done, at least not well, is make your life easier in the moment. That may be why one small company decided to build something different. And now, a major tech giant just announced plans to acquire that company, marking a bold return to a space it once gave up on. That company is Amazon. And the startup it's buying is called Bee. Amazon confirmed this week that it will acquire Bee, a San Francisco-based startup behind a $49.99 AI-powered wristband. Bee's device is sleek and screenless, but packed with purpose. It uses onboard microphones and generative AI to listen to daily conversations - like work calls, casual chats, or even errands shouted across the room - and then distills that information into summaries, reminders, or to-do lists. Think: a wearable that doesn't just track your health, it helps you manage your life. In a LinkedIn post, Bee CEO Maria de Lourdes Zollo described the vision as "truly personal, agentic AI." Related: Apple Watch, Fitbit rival stuns with bold message "We imagined a world where your life is understood and enhanced by technology that learns with you," she wrote. Amazon spokesperson Alexandra Miller confirmed the acquisition but didn't share financial details. The move comes as Amazon expands its AI ambitions with projects like the shopping assistant Rufus and a revamped Alexa voice assistant. It also marks a second swing at wearables after Amazon discontinued its Halo fitness tracker in 2023. This time, though, the angle isn't frictionless productivity. Apple and Fitbit have long defined what wearables are supposed to do. Track your steps. Nudge you to stand. Alert you when your heart rate spikes. But those features haven't changed much in the past five years, and they haven't solved a bigger problem: information overload. Bee offers something different. Its core value isn't movement tracking or health metrics; it's saving time and promoting mental clarity. Instead of keeping you glued to your screen, it wants to take tasks off your mind. That kind of AI-assisted memory could appeal to students, professionals, parents, and anyone juggling a busy life. And because it's currently priced at just $49.99, it lowers the barrier to entry significantly. By comparison, the Apple Watch SE starts at $249. Fitbit's latest models range from $100 to $300. This isn't just another gadget - it's a rethink of what a wearable should be. With Amazon backing it, Bee now has the infrastructure to scale, and the resources to improve. If Apple, Google, WHOOP, and Meta weren't already watching, they are now. And with OpenAI, Humane, and others chasing similar hardware ambitions, the AI-on-your-body race is officially on. Related: Amazon's Alexa AI upgrade is even worse than expected The Arena Media Brands, LLC THESTREET is a registered trademark of TheStreet, Inc.
