Amazon's Bee Launches Frontier and Eclipse AI Devices, Starting at $75
Bee, the AI wearable maker Amazon bought last year, has unveiled the $74.99 Frontier and the $99.99 Eclipse, plus an $11.99-a-month Pro plan.
Bee, the personal AI wearable company now owned by Amazon, has introduced two new devices. The Bee Frontier is a wrist-or-clip wearable, and the Bee Eclipse is a credit-card-sized gadget that snaps onto the back of a phone. Both listen to conversations and turn them into notes, summaries and to-dos.
The two devices
The Bee Frontier is the next generation of Bee's original wearable. According to Engadget, it replaces the earlier Pioneer, which cost $50 and is no longer sold. You can wear it on a band or pin it to clothes or a bag. It comes in Onyx, Lavender and Sage.
The Frontier is rated IP67 for dust and water resistance, which the Pioneer lacked. It has dual microphones with noise filtering, USB-C charging and up to seven days of battery life. Engadget describes it as smaller and lighter than its predecessor.
The Bee Eclipse attaches magnetically to a smartphone. Engadget says it has three microphones, a button and an LED indicator, and that Bee promises more than 21 days of battery life. It comes in Silver, Midnight, Honey and Blush.
Price and availability
The Frontier is $74.99 and on sale now at Amazon. The $99.99 Eclipse will follow "soon thereafter," according to TechCrunch. No exact date was given in the sources.
That puts the Eclipse below some rival AI note-takers. TechCrunch lists the Plaud Note at $159 (or $189 for the Note Pro) and the Pocket at $129.
What the subscription adds
All Bee devices can create conversation summaries and recaps for free, with 14 days of memory. The $11.99-per-month Bee Pro plan adds:
- Unlimited conversation summaries
- Integrations with Amazon.com, Alexa+ and third-party apps
- Suggested to-dos and daily memories
- A personal chat assistant and conversation templates
Engadget's headline notes that you will need Pro to get the most out of the devices.
Privacy and integrations
Bee says its devices use a private computing architecture that does not store raw audio. Audio is processed in real time and then deleted. Transcripts are encrypted with keys the device creates and controls, so Amazon employees cannot access them unless you choose to share them.
You can also link Bee to Alexa so an Echo device can recognize your voice and record conversations for Bee's insights. This is optional, and transcripts and summaries can be deleted at any time.
Bee works with Gmail, Google Calendar and Microsoft Outlook. It can also draft emails and set up meetings. It connects to Apple's HealthKit as well. The companion mobile app has been redesigned, and there is a new desktop app.
Engadget raises one caution. The Eclipse's shape and magnetic mount make it look like a portable battery charger, so a nearby person might read its indicator light as charging rather than recording.
What it means for you
If you want a cheap AI note-taker, the Frontier is available now. Engadget suggests waiting for full reviews to see whether the water resistance, colors and smaller size justify the price. If you prefer something that stays on your phone and lasts longer between charges, the Eclipse is coming, but with no firm date yet.
Budget for the subscription too if you want the Amazon and Alexa+ integrations, since those need Bee Pro at $11.99 a month.
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Quick answers
How much do the new Bee devices cost?
The Bee Frontier is $74.99 and the Bee Eclipse is $99.99. The optional Bee Pro subscription is $11.99 per month.
Which Bee device lasts longer on a charge?
The Eclipse. Bee promises more than 21 days, compared with up to seven days for the Frontier.
Is the Bee Frontier waterproof?
It is rated IP67 for dust and water resistance, according to Amazon as cited by Engadget. The earlier Pioneer had no water resistance.
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