Amazon Launches AI-Powered Wearable Device to Compete with Apple and Meta
At the CES 2026 consumer electronics show in Las Vegas, artificial intelligence emerged as the dominant theme of the event.
From smart rings to displays and home devices, AI was integral to many innovations.
However, Amazon captured attention with a bold announcement: the acquisition of Bee, a company that has developed a portable AI device that can be worn as a clip or bracelet, serving as a smart companion for users outside their homes.
* A New Direction from “Alexa”
While Amazon has a strong foothold in the smart device market with “Alexa,” whose upgraded model Alexa+ operates on 97% of its devices, the Bee device represents a distinct shift.
According to a report from TechCrunch, Amazon aims for Bee to extend the AI experience from home to everyday activities, including work, study, and commuting.
* Features of the Bee Device
The Bee is primarily designed to record conversations such as:
• meetings
• interviews
• classes
Beyond recording, it functions as a personal smart assistant that learns from user interactions over time.
The device utilizes:
• a broad general knowledge base
• learning from user recordings
• integration with services users choose to connect, such as Gmail, Google Calendar, contacts, and Apple Health data
* How Bee Differs from Amazon’s Previous Efforts
Amazon has previously attempted to integrate “Alexa” into wearable devices like headphones and smart glasses, but these efforts did not achieve significant market acceptance against strong competitors such as:
• Apple’s AirPods
• Meta’s Ray-Ban glasses
Amazon believes that Bee has a unique opportunity, as it focuses not just on audio but on comprehending the user’s daily life comprehensively.
* Integration, Not Competition with Alexa
Maria de Lourdes Zulu, co-founder of Bee, clarified that the relationship with Alexa is not competitive but rather a smart partnership:
“Bee understands what happens outside the home, while Alexa understands what occurs inside. In the future, both worlds will merge.”
Daniel Rausch, Amazon's vice president of Alexa, described the Bee experience as “enjoyable and deeply interactive,” asserting that the combination of both experiences will provide users with greater long-term value.
* Practical Applications in Daily Life
Bee learns the user’s lifestyle patterns and commitments, enabling it to:
• suggest automated tasks
• remind users of commitments
• summarize daily events
_Among the initial users are:
• students recording lectures
• elderly individuals with memory issues
• professionals who rely on detailed conversations and prefer not to take handwritten notes
Zulu noted that the device creates a personal knowledge map for users, allowing them to interact with the AI to understand what transpired during their day and how their habits have evolved over time.
* Privacy Considerations
Like Alexa, Bee employs a combination of AI models, integrating Amazon’s proprietary systems.
After transcribing voice conversations into text:
• audio recordings are deleted;
this enhances privacy but may limit the device’s utility in professional environments that require access to original recordings.
* 2026: A Year of Transformation
Despite limited details, Zulu revealed that significant developments for the device are expected in 2026, following the recent announcement of new features such as:
• voice notes
• predefined templates
• smart daily insights
The small team behind Bee, consisting of just eight members, operates from its San Francisco headquarters, close to the Alexa and Amazon device teams.
In conclusion, the co-founder stated:
“The opportunities have become limitless, and that is one of the reasons we are thrilled to be part of Amazon.”
* Summary
With this acquisition, Amazon sends a clear message:
personal AI will no longer be confined to homes starting today.
With Bee, the company enters a new race to compete with Apple and Meta, in a contest titled:
Who will be the closest smart assistant to your daily life?
