Amazon Acquires Bee AI, CMF Launches Affordable Smartwatch, and More

In a significant development in the technology and consumer electronics sector, Amazon.com, Inc. has announced its acquisition of Bee, an innovative artificial intelligence (AI) company known for its always-listening wearable technology. This acquisition, which was confirmed by Bee co-founder Maria de Lourdes Zollo via LinkedIn, marks a strategic move for Amazon as it seeks to strengthen its position in the AI marketplace, where it has faced increasing competition from firms like OpenAI and Google. The wearable device, which debuted earlier this year, utilizes advanced large language models to transcribe conversations and provide users with actionable insights without saving audio recordings. Concerns regarding privacy, however, loom large, as Amazon has a history of scrutiny over its data handling practices (Zollo, 2025).

This acquisition comes at a time when Amazon is striving to enhance its AI capabilities, especially following the recent launch of an upgraded version of Alexa powered by large language models. The integration of Bee's technology could potentially offer Amazon's customers a novel AI experience, with a device that is continuously listening and capable of delivering personalized recommendations and reminders. However, whether Bee's existing privacy policies will remain intact under Amazon’s stewardship is uncertain (WIRED, 2025).

In parallel, CMF, a sub-brand of Nothing, has released its new smartwatch, the Watch 3 Pro, priced at $99. This smartwatch offers an extended battery life of up to 13 days on a single charge, a dual-band GPS for improved tracking, and a host of health-monitoring features, including blood oxygen level tracking and stress management tools. Notably, the device runs on a real-time operating system (RTOS), which limits the availability of popular apps but enhances battery efficiency. The Watch 3 Pro's integration with the Nothing X app allows seamless compatibility with platforms like Apple Health and Google Health Connect (CMF, 2025).

Moreover, Microsoft has re-entered the market for 5G laptops with the announcement of a new Surface Laptop featuring integrated 5G capabilities. Targeted primarily at business users, the laptop will utilize Verizon's 5G network and is set for release on August 26, 2025, starting at $1,800. This model signifies a notable shift in Microsoft's approach, as it previously offered 5G options only in its Surface Pro line. The return to 5G in laptops comes as market demand for mobile and flexible computing solutions continues to rise (Microsoft, 2025).

In a related development, Palmer Luckey, co-founder of Oculus and CEO of Anduril, raised the provocative question of whether consumers would buy a laptop manufactured entirely in the United States, during the Reindustrialize 2025 Summit. His inquiry reflects a growing interest in domestic manufacturing and discussions around the costs associated with American-made technology (Luckey, 2025).

In the realm of software innovation, Google Photos has unveiled a new feature enabling users to convert images into videos using its generative AI capabilities. This feature allows for subtle movements in still images, creating a six-second animated clip, further enhancing the app's functionality and user engagement (Google, 2025).

As the technology landscape evolves, these developments signify a broader trend towards integrating AI into everyday devices while addressing consumer concerns regarding privacy and data security. The implications of these advancements will likely shape the market for smart devices and AI applications in the coming years, as both established tech giants and emerging startups vie for consumer attention and market share.