Amazon Plans Acquire AI Wristband Startup Bee

Amazon is set to acquire Bee, a San Francisco-based startup known for its AI-powered wearable wristband called the Bee Pioneer, priced at $49.99 with a $19 monthly subscription. Unlike traditional fitness trackers, Bee’s device uses onboard microphones and generative AI to passively listen to conversations, distilling information into summaries, reminders, and to-do lists, aiming to serve as a truly personal digital assistant. This acquisition marks Amazon's return to the wearable market after discontinuing its health-tracking Halo device in 2023 and reflects the broader tech industry's push to integrate AI more intimately into daily life. Bee emphasizes user privacy by processing audio in real-time without storing recordings and allowing users to mute the device or delete data, though some concerns about privacy remain, especially given Amazon’s past practices with user data. Bee’s CEO Maria de Lourdes Zollo highlighted the vision of AI that learns and enhances users’ lives seamlessly, while Amazon has confirmed the acquisition and that Bee employees will join the company, though financial terms and closing dates remain undisclosed. The deal positions Amazon to compete in the evolving AI wearable space alongside other major tech firms investing in body-integrated AI technology.