Amazon has made a significant move by acquiring Bee, a small San Francisco startup known for its innovative wrist device that can record and transcribe conversations. This wearable technology, priced at $49.99, has caught the attention of tech enthusiasts for its unique capabilities.
Bee’s CEO and co-founder, Maria de Lourdes Zollo, shared the news of the acquisition on LinkedIn, expressing excitement about the opportunity to expand their reach and enhance the personalized AI experience for customers.
The terms of the deal have not been disclosed, but Bee is recognized among a group of startups focusing on developing wearable devices that can capture conversations and provide valuable insights. The company assures users of strict privacy measures and is exploring on-device AI models for improved performance.
Amazon has extended offers to Bee employees to join their team, signaling a potential integration of Bee’s technology into Amazon’s existing lineup of devices and AI initiatives. With tech giants like OpenAI and Meta also investing heavily in personal AI assistants, the competition in this space is fierce.
Established just last year, Bee secured a $7 million funding round from prominent investors, highlighting the industry’s confidence in the startup’s vision. The leadership team, comprising Zollo and CTO Ethan Sutin, brings valuable experience from their time at Twitter and Squad, further elevating Bee’s potential in the market.