TL;DR: Bee Frontier is the smaller model at $74.99, suitable for wearing as a wristband or clipping onto clothing. Bee Eclipse is the larger model at $99.99, with a card-shaped design and longer battery life, but many of its standout features require a $11.99/month Bee Pro subscription.
The new Amazon Bee comes in two versions: Bee Frontier, priced at $74.99, which can be worn as a wristband or clipped onto clothing, and Bee Eclipse, priced at $99.99, a card-shaped device that can attach magnetically to the back of a smartphone.
The devices work for free with basic features, but connecting to Amazon and Alexa Plus requires a $11.99/month Bee Pro subscription. This includes features such as unlimited summaries, suggested to-dos, and third-party app integrations.
Design and Form Factors of the New Bee Models
Bee Frontier costs $74.99 and is available today in black, green, and lavender. It can be worn on the wrist with a Fitbit-like band or used as a pin clipped onto clothing. The device has a more prominent recording button, a recording indicator light, and an IP67 water-resistance rating (a standard for protection against dust and water).
Bee Eclipse costs $99.99 and is not yet available. It comes in black, pink, yellow, and silver. Its shape resembles a credit card and is larger than the Frontier, allowing it to hold a larger battery. It is also designed for more professional use.
If we compare them as two product tiers, Frontier is the “younger sibling” focused on flexibility, while Eclipse is the “older sibling” focused on battery life and more serious use.
When the Device Listens for Things We Shouldn’t Forget
An ordinary conversation can turn into a task to handle later. For example, your partner might say not to forget to buy cat litter, but after a busy day, it can easily slip your mind.
Bee tries to solve this problem by listening to conversations and turning them into summaries, transcripts, key information, and to-do lists. The system may then display a shopping reminder on Amazon or take you directly to the product in the Bee app.
My view: This concept is very interesting because Bee works like an assistant taking notes beside you. However, users should prioritize the privacy of the people around them.
Where Bee Fits in Amazon’s Device Ecosystem
Amazon acquired Bee last year from a startup that made a $50 AI device that listened to conversations and summarized them for users. Amazon has now introduced two new models: Bee Frontier, priced at $74.99, and Bee Eclipse, priced at $99.99, which is coming soon.
Bee’s role is therefore not limited to helping with shopping. It is an AI device that listens to conversations throughout the day and turns them into summaries, transcripts, key information, and to-do lists, helping users avoid having to remember or write everything down themselves.
From the Original Bee to Bee Frontier and Bee Eclipse
The original Bee was an all-day-listening wearable priced at $50. Frontier has been redesigned as a wristband or clip-on pin, while Eclipse is a card-shaped device designed for use without wearing it.
| Factor | Original Bee | Bee Frontier | Bee Eclipse |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $50 | $74.99 | $99.99 |
| Form factor | wearable | wristband or clip-on pin | card-shaped, no need to wear |
| Battery | approximately 7 days | approximately 7 days | 21 days |
| Colors | not specified | black, green, lavender | black, pink, yellow, silver |
| Recording button | not specified | more prominent button | not specified |
| Features | conversation summaries | summaries, transcripts, insights, and to-dos | summaries, transcripts, insights, and to-dos |
How These Features Work in Everyday Life
During work conversations or conversations with people at home, Bee listens and creates summaries and transcripts that can be reviewed later. This is useful on days with so many details that you don’t want to take notes yourself.
If there are follow-up tasks, the system can create to-dos from conversations, such as reminders about unfinished discussions or summaries of what needs to be handled each day.
When connected to Gmail or Google Calendar, Bee can draft emails or send calendar invitations based on what was discussed. These features are part of Bee Pro.
When Amazon integration is enabled, a conversation such as “Don’t forget to buy cat litter” may become a product recommendation on Amazon or a product button in the Bee app.
Compared with Existing AI Note-Taking Devices
Bee is conceptually similar to Plaud NotePin and Limitless AI: all use AI devices to summarize conversations, transcribe audio, and manage tasks. However, the available sources do not provide enough detail for a direct comparison of specifications or prices.
| Factor | Bee | Plaud NotePin | Limitless AI |
|---|---|---|---|
| Core concept | AI note-taking device | AI note-taking device | AI note-taking device |
| Specification details | no direct comparison data | no direct comparison data | no direct comparison data |
| Pricing details | no direct comparison data | no direct comparison data | no direct comparison data |
Strengths and Limitations to Know Before Buying
Bee Frontier offers approximately 7 days of battery life and IP67 water resistance, while Eclipse lasts up to 21 days. Both are suitable for people who want a conversation-recording device they can wear or carry with their phone.
Pros
- +Frontier offers approximately 7 days of battery life and IP67 water resistance
- +Eclipse offers up to 21 days of battery life
- +Connects with Gmail, Google Calendar, Outlook, Apple HealthKit, and photos
Cons
- −Many standout features require a Bee Pro subscription
- −Because the device listens to conversations, privacy must be taken into consideration
- −Other people’s voices are not automatically identified by name unless you allow the AI to learn their voices
Bee Frontier costs $74.99, while Bee Eclipse costs $99.99, and the Eclipse model is coming soon. Bee Pro costs an additional $11.99 per month.
The free tier includes conversation summaries, retrospective summaries, and 14 days of memory. Bee Pro adds “unlimited” summaries, suggested to-dos, daily memories, a private chat assistant, conversation templates, third-party app integrations, and a desktop app, along with integration with Amazon and Alexa Plus.