Latest news with #Halo
Miami Herald
a day ago
- Health
- Miami Herald
Watch out Fitbit and Apple Watch, Amazon has entered the chat
You've seen them on wrists and fingers everywhere - at the gym, in the office, on the subway. Smartwatches and fitness trackers have become the quiet uniform of modern life. For many, they track steps. For others, they serve as sleep monitors, heart rate checkers, or reminders to stand every hour. But despite their popularity, most of these devices do the exact same thing. And frankly, they've started to Whether it's an Apple Watch, a Fitbit, or a Garmin, the core experience hasn't evolved much over the past few years. Related: Amazon's latest products go after a new type of customer Sure, there are better sensors and more polished apps. But the function is nearly identical: collecting health data and feeding it back to you in yet another dashboard you'll probably stop checking. What wearables haven't done, at least not well, is make your life easier in the moment. That may be why one small company decided to build something different. And now, a major tech giant just announced plans to acquire that company, marking a bold return to a space it once gave up on. That company is Amazon. And the startup it's buying is called Bee. Amazon confirmed this week that it will acquire Bee, a San Francisco-based startup behind a $49.99 AI-powered wristband. Bee's device is sleek and screenless, but packed with purpose. It uses onboard microphones and generative AI to listen to daily conversations - like work calls, casual chats, or even errands shouted across the room - and then distills that information into summaries, reminders, or to-do lists. Think: a wearable that doesn't just track your health, it helps you manage your life. In a LinkedIn post, Bee CEO Maria de Lourdes Zollo described the vision as "truly personal, agentic AI." Related: Apple Watch, Fitbit rival stuns with bold message "We imagined a world where your life is understood and enhanced by technology that learns with you," she wrote. Amazon spokesperson Alexandra Miller confirmed the acquisition but didn't share financial details. The move comes as Amazon expands its AI ambitions with projects like the shopping assistant Rufus and a revamped Alexa voice assistant. It also marks a second swing at wearables after Amazon discontinued its Halo fitness tracker in 2023. This time, though, the angle isn't frictionless productivity. Apple and Fitbit have long defined what wearables are supposed to do. Track your steps. Nudge you to stand. Alert you when your heart rate spikes. But those features haven't changed much in the past five years, and they haven't solved a bigger problem: information overload. Bee offers something different. Its core value isn't movement tracking or health metrics; it's saving time and promoting mental clarity. Instead of keeping you glued to your screen, it wants to take tasks off your mind. That kind of AI-assisted memory could appeal to students, professionals, parents, and anyone juggling a busy life. And because it's currently priced at just $49.99, it lowers the barrier to entry significantly. By comparison, the Apple Watch SE starts at $249. Fitbit's latest models range from $100 to $300. This isn't just another gadget - it's a rethink of what a wearable should be. With Amazon backing it, Bee now has the infrastructure to scale, and the resources to improve. If Apple, Google, WHOOP, and Meta weren't already watching, they are now. And with OpenAI, Humane, and others chasing similar hardware ambitions, the AI-on-your-body race is officially on. Related: Amazon's Alexa AI upgrade is even worse than expected The Arena Media Brands, LLC THESTREET is a registered trademark of TheStreet, Inc.
TECHx
a day ago
- Business
- TECHx
Amazon to Acquire AI Wearables Startup Bee
Home » Startups » Amazon to Acquire AI Wearables Startup Bee Amazon has reached a deal to acquire Bee, a San Francisco-based startup that makes AI wearables. The company produces a $50 bracelet that records conversations and uses artificial intelligence to transcribe and summarize them. Bee's wristband can generate summaries, create to-do lists, and perform other tasks using the captured audio. The AI wearable can also be muted by users when desired. Amazon confirmed the acquisition on Tuesday after Bee CEO and co-founder Maria de Lourdes Zollo shared the news in a LinkedIn post. However, the company did not disclose the deal's financial terms and said it has not yet closed. A spokesperson for Amazon stated the company will work with Bee to give users more control over the devices. Zollo wrote that the company envisioned 'a world where AI is truly personal,' powered by technology that adapts to users' lives. Bee was founded in 2022 and is known for its AI-powered wristband. Amazon previously launched its own wearable, Halo, which was discontinued in 2023. This acquisition adds to Amazon's ongoing efforts in the AI wearables space. The company already offers Echo smart glasses embedded with Alexa. According to Zollo's post, Bee will join the devices group led by Amazon executive Panos Panay once the deal is finalized. The move follows broader trends in the AI wearables market. OpenAI recently acquired io, a startup founded by former Apple designer Jony Ive, in a $6.5 billion deal. Other startups have also entered the AI wearable segment, though results have varied. Much of Amazon's AI development continues within its Amazon Web Services division. Source: Reuters
UPI
a day ago
- Entertainment
- UPI
Eddie Karanja calls 'Washington Black' a story he had to tell
1 of 5 | Eddie Karanja stars in "Washington Black," premiering Wednesday. Photo courtesy of Hulu NEW YORK, July 23 (UPI) -- Halo and Sandman actor Eddie Karanja says he hopes audiences feel inspired and see themselves in his epic new miniseries, Washington Black. "First of all, I want them to think Wash is awesome because he is," Eddie told UPI in a recent Zoom interview. "Even though I can't predict, I think young viewers are going to really love a lot of the characters that we meet along the way and they're going to find identity within the show," he said. "It's such an amazing story to hear being told from my character's perspective and through the eyes of an 11-year-old, enslaved boy who goes on this whirlwind journey. It was something that I knew that I had to tell." The eight-episode series premieres on Hulu Wednesday and co-stars Sterling K. Brown, Ernest Kingsley Jr., Tom Ellis, Iola Evans, Billy Boyd, Rupert Graves, Edward Bluemel and Ntare Mwine. The adaptation of Esi Edugyan's best-selling novel follows the titular, 19th-century hero, who was born a slave on a Barbados sugar plantation, but whose brilliant scientific mind enables him to go on extraordinary adventures. "It started with the book, then went to the script, and my amazing dialect and acting coach really helped me zone in on the internal conflict in Washington," Eddie said. "You really begin to feel the emotion inside before you show it outside. And, then, it was [listening to] music, as well. All those things really helped create this character that I really love." Eddie said playing chess helped him bond with Kingsley Jr., the actor who played the adult version of Wash. "There were conversations had and there were subtle things," Eddie explained. "Hanging out with each other, we really picked up similar mannerisms, so it was almost as if the same person was portraying this character at different points in his life." The project also afforded Eddie the opportunity of working with Emmy-winner Brown, who was a producer in addition to a cast member on Washington Black. "Sterling was an amazing collaborator. He really made you feel like an active part of the collaboration," Eddie said. "It was good to have him around." The actor said the period-accurate costumes and locations in Mexico, Iceland and Nova Scotia where the series was shot helped him immerse himself in this world. "It really did a lot of the work in the character circumstances," he added. "There was never a moment that I felt the set was taking me out of [the story] in any way." Showrunner Selwyn Seyfu Hinds said he and executive producer Kimberly Ann Harrison tried to create a "safety net" so the cast and crew had what they needed to make the most authentic and emotionally rewarding series possible. "They were forces throughout the show in really cultivating and honing in on this story," Eddie said. "Selwyn really took a lot of himself and his own culture and really put that into the show. Kim really honed in on those ideas, as well, and, really, the finished product speaks for itself." Hinds felt immediately drawn to the beloved novel. "I love the core of what the book is about -- the idea that the best of us can come from the worst of places, right?" he said. "If that's not emblematic of Wash's journey, I don't know what else you can say," Hinds added. "Once we got that sort of core idea of this kid who was going to go on a journey that will metaphorically and literally lead to him flying, everything else became: 'Well, what best supports that? How do we challenge that journey? How do we make it more interesting? How do we take some of the clues in the book and what sort of secret chambers are here to explore?'" Hinds thinks the tale will resonate with 2025 viewers unsettled by real-world division and unrest. "When the world's on fire, it'd be nice to find some wings and flowers," he said. "An evergreen journey for humans is to find hope and find kindness and joy, and it just feels extra-relevant in times that feel tough," Hinds added. "It's not just empty-calorie escapism. It's sort of like escapism with a thematic purpose."
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Amazon to acquire AI wristband developer Bee
Amazon is set to acquire Bee, a San Francisco-based startup specialising in AI-powered wristbands. Bee's wearable device, known as the Bee Pioneer, leverages AI to transcribe conversations and generate summaries, to-do lists, and other tasks. Confirmation of the deal was made following a LinkedIn post by Bee CEO and co-founder Maria de Lourdes Zollo. While Amazon acknowledged the acquisition, the details of the transaction remain undisclosed. The acquisition has not yet been finalised. An Amazon spokesperson informed Reuters that the company intends to work with Bee to improve user control over the wristbands, which automatically transcribe audio but also offer muting capabilities. Founded in 2022, Bee engineered its device to capture conversations and apply AI for personalised daily summaries, reminders, and suggestions available via its app. Users may authorise access to emails, contacts, location data, reminders, photos, and calendar events, creating a detailed history that informs AI-driven insights. In a LinkedIn post, Zollo wrote: 'When we started Bee, we imagined a world where AI is truly personal, where your life is understood and enhanced by technology that learns with you. 'What began as a dream with an incredible team and community now finds a new home at Amazon.' The Bee Pioneer utilises dual microphones and advanced noise-filtering technology for clear transcription in various environments. The device claims to have a battery life exceeding 160 hours on a single charge and supports up to 40 languages. With a modular design, it can be detached from its wristband and attached securely to clothing using an included clip. However, while it is water-resistant, it is not suitable for swimming or showering. This acquisition marks Amazon's continued interest in wearables. Previously, the company offered a range of wrist health trackers under the Halo brand before discontinuing them in 2023. Amazon also sells smart glasses with integrated Alexa functionality under the Echo brand. "Amazon to acquire AI wristband developer Bee" was originally created and published by Verdict, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Refinery29
a day ago
- Health
- Refinery29
This Skin Gadget Zapped Away My Acne Breakout Overnight
All linked products are independently selected by our editors. If you purchase any of these products, we may earn a commission. From pimple patches to spot treatments and lasers, there's little I haven't tried in the name of clear skin. When it comes to beauty tech specifically, I'm hardly a novice, either — LED masks, sleek hair stylers, high frequency wands, cleansing tools… I use 'em all! But if I had to use only one for the rest of my life, it would easily be the ZIIP microcurrent tool. ZIIP, co-founded by facialist Melanie Simon, is perhaps best known for the ZIIP Halo — a small, computer-mouse-shaped device that treats myriad skin concerns, from wrinkles to puffiness to yes, acne. I'm 31, and genetically blessed with few wrinkles and good bone structure, so while I loved the Halo (truly, it was a cornerstone of my wedding skin prep), I almost exclusively used it to ward off breakouts. At £379.99, the Halo is far from cheap — and if you're only interested in it for acne treatment, I might not have recommended it. But here's where the ZIIP Dot microcurrent tool comes in. Unlike the Halo, the ZIIP Dot Acne Treatment Device doesn't require a companion app to select which treatment to load. It arrives preset with a 90-second spot treatment routine (60 seconds of Treat mode, followed by 30 seconds of Calm to reduce inflammation) and a six-minute full-face routine (four minutes of Treat mode and two minutes of Calm). What is microcurrent and how can it improve acne? The ZIIP looks like a mini doughnut and has two thin, slightly curved electrical nodes on the underside of the device, which deliver the microcurrent. Microcurrent is perhaps most popular for 'snatching' (the ability to sculpt and tone facial muscles), but I've personally noticed the most dramatic improvements in my acne. Sure enough, some research suggests that microcurrent is an effective treatment for alleviating a type of bacteria that contributes to acne. ZIIP Dot, £169.99 Shop This ZIIP Ziip Dot BUY £169.99 Ziip Is the ZIIP Dot good for acne? I tend to break out most on my chin and jawline, but occasionally get acne in congested areas like my nose. The Dot is small enough to get into hard-to-reach spots, and I liked that you can start your treatment right away without having to pull up and sync the device with the app. In the box was a bottle of Clear Gel (one of the various conductive gels the brand offers), along with a charging cable and manual. It's super lightweight and fits comfortably in my hand. After cleansing and patting my skin dry, I apply a few pumps of gel all over my face. Pressing and holding the Dot's power button activates the full-face routine and I slowly glide the device over my face. I tend to notice a slight warming sensation when the microcurrent 'finds' the active acne — this is totally normal! Depending on how severe the breakout is, things can get a little tingly, but nothing unbearable. (Compared to other devices I've tried, I find that ZIIP's are not only the most effective but also the most gentle.) After use, I wipe the Dot clean with a towel, rinse off any excess gel and proceed with the rest of my nighttime skincare routine. The morning after using this for the first time, I swear that the early rumblings of a cystic pimple were gone. (Formerly, I'd only seen results that fast with a dermatologist appointment and cortisone injection.) The one-two punch of microcurrent to kill bacteria and nanocurrent (a lower intensity) to quell inflammation — at its core, that's what acne is, after all — is a pimple's worst nightmare and my new best friend. But what do the experts think? Dr Zainab Laftah, a consultant dermatologist at The Shard, says that while there is promising anecdotal evidence that micro- and nanocurrent devices like the ZIIP can reduce inflammation and speed up healing, there is a lack of clinical data compared to the evidence base for traditional acne treatments such as topical salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide and tretinoin, which she says are the 'gold standard' for treating active acne. However, Dr Laftah adds, 'If you are already using proven topical therapies and are looking to reduce inflammation and enhance the healing process, a device like the ZIIP Dot may serve as a helpful adjunct.' Dr Laftah says that it's generally safe to use a microcurrent tool like the ZIIP Dot alongside retinol or exfoliating acids, as long as you avoid applying retinoids or acids within 24 hours of the treatment. This is because they can lower the skin's tolerance, increasing the risk of irritation, she says. How do you use the ZIIP Dot to treat acne? ZIIP recommends using the Dot two to three times a week, which is perfect for keeping breakouts at bay. Dr Laftah recommends avoiding areas with active infections, open sores, severe acne cysts or broken and inflamed skin, as currents could worsen irritation or delay healing . Overall, the full-face routine has really helped maintain clear skin, but I've also used the spot treatment for a quick zippity-zap if I'm in a rush. Depending on the stage my acne is at, that's been enough to reduce the lifespan and severity of the breakout dramatically. (In my aforementioned example, I was able to 'catch' the pimple before it had a chance to wreak havoc; since I tend to scar easily, this was still a great tool to have to reduce hyperpigmentation.) If acne is your primary skin concern, then at £169.99 (half the price of the Halo), the Dot is an amazing addition to any acne-haver's routine. I love that it's compact enough to easily travel with — great news if your skin tends to flare up after a long flight. With this sleek new skin gadget as part of my acne routine, I feel like I'm truly taking care of my skin — and that's a very, very good thing.
