Bee, the wearable AI startup acquired by Amazon just over a year ago, has unveiled two new AI devices alongside a Pro subscription offering and software updates. The products are cheap and colorful, but users will need a Pro subscription to get the most out of them.
The first device is the Bee Frontier, a follow-up to and replacement for the Pioneer. Like its predecessor, it is a Fitbit-like module that can be slotted into a bracelet or clip. It has an onboard button for starting note-taking sessions or invoking the Buzz AI assistant, plus an LED indicator. The Frontier is smaller and lighter than the Pioneer, comes in more colors including Lavender, Sage and Onyx, and is rated IP67 for dust and water resistance according to Amazon. It costs $75 at Amazon, while the Pioneer, which sold for $50, is no longer available.
The second device is the Bee Eclipse, a magnetic, rectangular puck that snaps onto a phone. It is essentially a thicker credit card with three onboard microphones and an LED indicator. Because it is larger, it offers three times the battery life of the Frontier, with Bee promising it will last "more than 21 days." It performs the same core functions, summarizing conversations and identifying speakers.
Bee says audio is never stored or shared, and users must get permission from call participants each time a recording starts. The company says the devices are built with privacy at their core. However, the Eclipse's shape, size and magnetic attachment make it resemble a portable battery charger, which could affect how people nearby perceive it.
Source: Engadget · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing