This article may contain personal views and opinion from the author.
I'm a big fan of science fiction and honestly, watching what is happening right now with AI feels like stepping straight into one of those futuristic stories. Tech companies are moving at lightning speed, cooking up gadgets that sound like they came from a Black Mirror episode – but in a good way… hopefully.
The latest example? Amazon just bought a startup called Bee. This company makes a wearable bracelet that listens to everything you say, records it and turns your day into a tidy little summary – complete with to-do lists and reminders. Basically, it is like having your own personal assistant on your wrist, who never zones out or forgets anything.
Video credit – Bee
And yeah, I know – that's both kind of brilliant and kind of creepy. But instead of focusing on the "how bad could this go" angle (which, let's face it, is a long list), I want to look at what this means for the future of AI gadgets. Because with big tech players putting real money into AI hardware, it's clear something big is coming.
We've seen this future before – in sci-fi
A lot of the tech we now consider totally normal was once just science fiction. Take video calls – Jules Verne basically predicted them back in the 1800s with something he called the "phonotelephote." Or E.T.A. Hoffmann's story The Sandman, which gave us Olympia – a lifelike automaton that made people question what was real and what wasn't. Sound familiar?
Then later there's Star Trek, the OG tech influencer. Between the communicators, tricorders and talking computers, they basically beta-tested half the gadgets we use now. Honestly, tech companies should owe that show royalties at this point.
Now fast forward to today. We've got video calls in our pockets, smart assistants in our kitchens and AI that can write your emails, translate conversations or help you plan a vacation. The line between fiction and reality is already pretty blurry. And with wearables like Bee, it's about to get even blurrier.
Amazon + Bee = mainstream AI on your wrist
What makes this moment feel like a turning point is who is making the moves. Bee started as a niche startup, but now that Amazon owns it, we could be looking at a future where AI wearables like this become widely available – and way more powerful.
Amazon's already gone all-in on AI. Just look at the new version of Alexa, which now uses generative AI to be more helpful (and more human). So it's not hard to imagine a future where Alexa doesn't just live in a speaker – it lives on your wrist, learns from your voice and helps run your life more smoothly.
Recommended Stories
And it's not just Amazon making waves here.
Everyone wants in on AI wearables
Meta, for example, has its Ray-Ban smart glasses, which let you interact with your own personal Meta AI assistant. For $299, they basically look like regular sunglasses, but smarter. And honestly, considering Ray-Bans already go for that much without AI, the pricing actually makes sense.
Video credit – Meta
Then there's the Rabbit R1 – a $199 standalone AI gadget that's small, portable and loaded with possibilities. It can handle tasks like playing music, ordering groceries, texting friends and planning your route – all with just your voice. It's like a personal assistant that fits in your hand and doesn't judge your snack choices.
In a way, Rabbit R1 looks like a Tamagotchi. | Image credit – Rabbit
But here's the twist: whether or not we want these devices isn't really the point.
Tech moves forward – with or without us
If there's one thing sci-fi has taught us – and also just, you know, history – it's that new tech doesn't always appear because people are asking for it. It appears because companies can build it, market it, and eventually make us feel like we need it.
We weren't begging for smartphones in 2006, but now try going a day without one. Same story might play out here. Right now, I'm not sure I need an AI bracelet that records everything I say. Honestly, it sounds exhausting. But give it time, and we might all be wearing these things – not just because we want to, but because the tech world has already decided they're the next big thing.
And once people start using them and realizing they are helpful, it's game over. They'll be everywhere.
And that brings us back to Bee. I don't think Amazon randomly decided to buy a little AI wearable startup. This feels like a move made with full awareness that something bigger is coming – like that mysterious OpenAI + Jony Ive project. Amazon wants to be ready. It wants to compete.
And sure, some tech giants are quiet for now (think Apple), but I wouldn't be surprised if Apple is waiting in the wings with something shiny and polished. You know, classic Apple style – show up late, but somehow still win.
So yeah, AI wearables might feel a bit weird right now. But if they start coming from the biggest tech names – not just small startups – they're going to hit the mainstream fast. And the moment they become truly useful (or just cool enough to flex), we'll probably stop questioning whether we need them at all.
Because the future doesn't ask for permission. It just shows up.
Grab a Moto razr 2024 for free!
Switch to Total Wireless and buy 2 months of a 5G Unlimited plan to score the phone free!
Tsveta, a passionate technology enthusiast and accomplished playwright, combines her love for mobile technologies and writing to explore and reveal the transformative power of tech. From being an early follower of PhoneArena to relying exclusively on her smartphone for photography, she embraces the immense capabilities of compact devices in our daily lives. With a Journalism degree and an explorative spirit, Tsveta not only provides expert insights into the world of gadgets and smartphones but also shares a unique perspective shaped by her diverse interests in travel, culture, and visual storytelling.
A discussion is a place, where people can voice their opinion, no matter if it
is positive, neutral or negative. However, when posting, one must stay true to the topic, and not just share some
random thoughts, which are not directly related to the matter.
Things that are NOT allowed:
Off-topic talk - you must stick to the subject of discussion
Offensive, hate speech - if you want to say something, say it politely
Spam/Advertisements - these posts are deleted
Multiple accounts - one person can have only one account
Impersonations and offensive nicknames - these accounts get banned
To help keep our community safe and free from spam, we apply temporary limits to newly created accounts:
New accounts created within the last 24 hours may experience restrictions on how frequently they can
post or comment.
These limits are in place as a precaution and will automatically lift.
Moderation is done by humans. We try to be as objective as possible and moderate with zero bias. If you think a
post should be moderated - please, report it.
Have a question about the rules or why you have been moderated/limited/banned? Please,
contact us.
Things that are NOT allowed:
To help keep our community safe and free from spam, we apply temporary limits to newly created accounts: