Amazon has released two new AI-powered listening devices, the Bee Frontier bracelet and the Bee Eclipse charger, under its Bee brand. The devices record conversations to provide reminders and insights, with privacy controls managed by the user.
Amazon unveiled two new portable devices on Thursday designed to listen to and record users' information throughout the day to offer calendar reminders and other AI-driven insights. The products, launched under the Bee brand that Amazon acquired last year, include the Frontier bracelet and the Eclipse, a device resembling a portable magnetic charger.
The Frontier is a silicone wristband that can also be clipped to clothing, while the Eclipse is a brick-shaped device that magnetically attaches to the back of a smartphone. According to Amazon, the devices aggregate information from calendars, apps, and other data sources throughout the day.
The Frontier bracelet costs US$75 and the Eclipse costs US$100, Amazon said. CBS News reported the retail prices as $74.99 for the Frontier and $99.99 for the Eclipse.
Equipped with microphones, the devices transcribe meetings and everyday conversations. "They listen to your whole day," said Amazon devices chief Panos Panay at the TechCrunch Disrupt conference in San Francisco. "It reminds you of the conversations you had, it reminds you of to-dos that you may have had, it tells you that you have some action items that you committed to other people."
Panay stated that because the devices are always listening when turned on, users do not have to make reminders for themselves and "can stay more present" throughout the day. The devices can recommend "personalized goals and actions" based on the conversation, Amazon said. For example, if a user is on a phone call planning a vacation, the device will create a summary documenting details such as flight times or hotel reservations.
Amazon emphasized that users control privacy by deciding when to turn the devices on and can delete insights or prior conversations as they see fit. The company stated that it does not store audio. "No one, including Amazon, can access your data," the company said in a release, noting that audio recordings are deleted after the devices transcribe them.
Bee will retain data for 14 days by default. Users can extend this retention period by paying for a subscription. The Bee Pro subscription costs $11.99 per month, according to CBS News, or US$12 per month, according to Reuters. This subscription unlocks advanced capabilities, including integration with Alexa+ and Amazon.com, as well as suggested to-dos.
The devices can connect to existing apps such as Gmail, Google Calendar, and Microsoft Outlook, allowing the AI technology to draft follow-up emails or create calendar invites based on discussions. They also connect to Alexa+, Amazon’s subscription generative AI voice service.
The launch comes as Amazon faces scrutiny over its history with voice assistant data. The company faced criticism after reports in 2019 that thousands of people were listening to conversations people had with its Alexa voice assistant service. Amazon is currently facing a class action lawsuit over the practice, though the company has denied any wrongdoing.
The new Bee devices enter a competitive market for AI wearables. They will compete with Meta’s Muse Charm, a pendant using the company’s latest agentic AI software, and Meta’s eyeglasses with cameras and other sensors. A host of startups have also developed similar devices designed to record conversations and take action on behalf of users. Microsoft, OpenAI, and Samsung are among other companies that have introduced AI-powered products aimed at consumers.
The introduction of the Bee Frontier and Eclipse marks Amazon's expansion into always-on AI wearables, a category that includes competitors like Meta and various startups. The devices aim to automate personal organization by capturing ambient audio and digital data, positioning themselves as tools for productivity and memory assistance. However, the launch occurs against a backdrop of heightened consumer and legal scrutiny regarding data privacy, following past controversies involving Amazon's Alexa service and ongoing litigation. Amazon's strategy relies on user-controlled privacy settings and subscription models to balance functionality with data protection concerns.
Sources
This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.
The day's checked news, by email
One short email a day with the top stories. Free, and you can unsubscribe in one click.
Or follow for the latest news:
No comments yet. Start the discussion.
Meta revised its commercial terms for business accounts on Oct. 16, removing the word 'train' from permitted uses of scraped content. The change follows criticism from legal experts and publisher groups.
TechTrending
Siemens executive board member Cedrik Neike announced a goal to raise factory automation to 70%-80% using AI. The company plans a €500 million expansion of its Erlangen site by 2030.