Amazon has acquired Bee, a startup focused on AI-powered wearables that record everything they hear, according to a LinkedIn post from Bee co-founder Maria de Lourdes Zollo. Amazon confirmed the deal to TechCrunch but said the acquisition has not yet closed.

Bee's core product is a Fitbit-like bracelet that retails for $49.99 with a $19 monthly subscription. It continuously records ambient audio unless manually muted. The AI assistant is designed to transcribe spoken conversations into reminders and to-dos. Bee also offers an Apple Watch app with similar functionality.

In a 2024 interview with TechCrunch, Zollo described the company’s long-term goal as building a "cloud phone"—a virtual mirror of the user’s smartphone that can access messages, calendars, and notifications.

“We believe everyone should have access to a personal, ambient intelligence that feels less like a tool and more like a trusted companion. One that helps you reflect, remember, and move through the world more freely,” Bee states on its website.

Bee raised $7 million in funding last year and entered a space where several companies, including Rabbit and Humane AI, have struggled to gain traction.

Bee’s low price—$49.99 compared to Humane’s $499 AI Pin—makes it more accessible to consumers curious about wearable AI without committing to high costs.

Amazon told TechCrunch that Bee employees have been offered roles at the company, but did not share how the product or team will be integrated.

The acquisition highlights Amazon’s expanding interest in wearable AI devices, diverging from its focus on voice-controlled smart home products like the Echo speaker line. Other tech giants are also moving into AI hardware:

This growing field of AI-enabled wearables reflects a broader shift toward on-body computing, where AI assistants are always accessible and context-aware.

Devices like Bee’s AI bracelet raise concerns about privacy, especially as they are designed to be always listening.

According to Bee’s privacy policy, users can:

The system stores personalized AI data learned from usage patterns, which is necessary for it to function as a virtual assistant.

Bee has also stated it will only record people who have verbally consented, and is working on features that let users define topic- or location-based boundaries to automatically pause AI learning.

The company says it plans to shift toward on-device AI processing, which generally carries fewer data security risks than cloud-based systems.

It’s unclear whether these policies will remain once Bee is under Amazon’s control. The company has a mixed record on user data protection:

Q: What does Bee make?
A: Bee produces an AI wearable bracelet and Apple Watch app that record ambient audio to generate reminders and assist users.

Q: How much does Bee’s device cost?
A: The bracelet retails for $49.99, with an additional $19 monthly subscription.

Q: What will Amazon do with Bee?
A: Amazon confirmed the acquisition but hasn’t shared how it will integrate the AI wearable or whether privacy policies will change.

Q: Does Bee store user conversations?
A: Bee says audio recordings are not stored or used for AI training, but it does retain user-learned data for personalized assistance.

Q: Are there privacy concerns?
A: Yes. The device is always listening unless muted, and Amazon’s history with Ring raises questions about future data practices.

Amazon’s acquisition of Bee marks a clear expansion of the company’s ambitions beyond the home and into on-body, AI-powered devices. While Amazon has long dominated the smart home assistant space with products like the Echo, this move signals a deeper push into personalized, mobile AI—an area where competitors like Meta, Apple, and OpenAI are already making moves.

Bee’s low-cost, always-on device offers Amazon a foothold in the emerging category of AI wearables, but it also brings new privacy challenges. The device's ability to record and learn from ambient conversations raises concerns about how user data, voice recordings, and consent will be handled—especially under a company with a mixed track record on data transparency.

As AI devices become more deeply embedded in daily life, companies will be judged not just on innovation, but on their ability to earn and maintain user trust. This acquisition puts Amazon in a stronger position to shape that future—but it also raises the stakes for how it handles the responsibility.

Editor’s Note: This article was created by Alicia Shapiro, CMO of AiNews.com, with writing, image, and idea-generation support from ChatGPT, an AI assistant. However, the final perspective and editorial choices are solely Alicia Shapiro’s. Special thanks to ChatGPT for assistance with research and editorial support in crafting this article.