Why Amazon bought Bee, an AI wearable
Amazon explains where its wearable Bee fits in and whether it will merge with Alexa.
TL;DR
- Amazon acquired Bee, a wearable AI device, at CES.
- Bee can be worn as a pin or bracelet and is designed for recording conversations and acting as an AI companion.
- Bee learns from user recordings and connected services like Gmail, Google Calendar, contacts, and Apple Health.
- Bee's AI companion functionality is intended to be complementary to Amazon's existing Alexa device.
- Bee's co-founder, Maria de Lourdes Zollo, described Bee as having an "understanding of outside the house" and Alexa an "understanding of inside the house."
- Amazon VP Daniel Rausch described Bee as an "important and lovable experience" and "deeply engaging and personal."
- Bee discards audio after transcription, making it less suitable for work use cases requiring playback.
- Bee's development team is based in San Francisco.
- Future updates for Bee include voice notes, templates, and daily insights.