Digital business models

Amazon buys Bee AI, the startup that listens to your day

Amazon has acquired Bee AI, a San Francisco-based startup known for its $50 wearable that listens to conversations and provides AI-generated summaries and reminders.

The deal was confirmed by Bee co-founder Maria de Lourdes Zollo in a LinkedIn post on Wednesday, but the acquisition terms were not disclosed. Bee gained attention earlier this year at CES in Las Vegas, where it unveiled a Fitbit-like bracelet using AI to deliver personal insights.

The device received strong feedback for its ability to analyse conversations and create to-do lists, reminders, and daily summaries. Bee also offers a $19-per-month subscription and an Apple Watch app. It raised $7 million before being acquired by Amazon.

‘When we started Bee, we imagined a world where AI is truly personal,’ Zollo wrote. ‘That dream now finds a new home at Amazon.’ Amazon confirmed the acquisition and is expected to integrate Bee’s technology into its expanding AI device strategy.

The company recently updated Alexa with generative AI and added similar features to Ring, its home security brand. Amazon’s hardware division is now led by Panos Panay, the former Microsoft executive who led Surface and Windows 11 development.

Bee’s acquisition suggests Amazon is exploring its own AI-powered wearable to compete in the rapidly evolving consumer tech space. It remains unclear whether Bee will operate independently or be folded into Amazon’s existing device ecosystem.

Privacy concerns have surrounded Bee, as its wearable records audio in real time. The company claims no recordings are stored or used for AI training. Bee insists that users can delete their data at any time. However, privacy groups have flagged potential risks.

The AI hardware market has seen mixed success. Meta’s Ray-Ban smart glasses gained traction, but others like the Rabbit R1 flopped. The Humane AI Pin also failed commercially and was recently sold to HP. Consumers remain cautious of always-on AI devices.

OpenAI is also moving into hardware. In May, it acquired Jony Ive’s AI startup, io, for a reported $6.4 billion. OpenAI has hinted at plans to develop a screenless wearable, joining the race to create ambient AI tools for daily life.

Bee’s transition from startup to Amazon acquisition reflects how big tech is absorbing innovation in ambient, voice-first AI. Amazon’s plans for Bee remain to be seen, but the move could mark a turning point for AI wearables if executed effectively.

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Amazon closes AI research lab in Shanghai as global focus shifts

Amazon is shutting down its AI research lab in Shanghai, marking another step in its gradual withdrawal from China. The move comes amid continuing US–China trade tensions and a broader trend of American tech companies reassessing their presence in the country.

The company said the decision was part of a global streamlining effort rather than a response to AI concerns.

A spokesperson for AWS said the company had reviewed its organisational priorities and decided to cut some roles across certain teams. The exact number of job losses has not been confirmed.

Before Amazon’s confirmation, one of the lab’s senior researchers noted on WeChat that the Shanghai site was the final overseas AWS AI research lab and attributed its closure to shifts in US–China strategy.

The team had built a successful open-source graph neural network framework known as DGL, which reportedly brought in nearly $1 billion in revenue for Amazon’s e-commerce arm.

Amazon has been reducing its footprint in China for several years. It closed its domestic online marketplace in 2019, halted Kindle sales in 2022, and recently laid off AWS staff in the US.

Other tech giants including IBM and Microsoft have also shut down China-based research units this year, while some Chinese AI firms are now relocating operations abroad instead of remaining in a volatile domestic environment.

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Bitcoin rally attracts scammers and fake platforms

Bitcoin’s latest rally past the $120,000 mark has triggered a fresh wave of excitement among investors, but the upward trend also brings a darker side—an increase in crypto-related scams. Rising public interest and ETF demand have led scammers to target new users on unregulated platforms.

Fraudsters are using various methods to deceive investors, including fake trading apps, phishing websites, giveaway scams, and pump-and-dump schemes. Many of these platforms appear legitimate, only to disappear when users attempt to withdraw funds.

Others mimic real exchanges or impersonate support agents to steal credentials and assets.

To avoid falling victim, investors should watch for red flags such as guaranteed returns, no visible team or contact details, lack of regulatory licences, and overly slick websites. Sticking to trusted platforms, using MFA, avoiding unknown links, and checking activity helps reduce risk.

Crypto trading remains full of potential, but education and caution are essential. Staying informed about common scams and adopting safe habits is the best way to protect investments in an evolving digital landscape.

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Musk denies fundraising as xAI eyes supercluster growth

According to sources cited by the Wall Street Journal, Elon Musk’s AI company xAI is reportedly working with Valor Equity Partners to raise to US$12 billion for expansion.

Valor, an investment firm founded by Antonio Gracias, a long-time associate of Musk, is in discussions with lenders to secure the capital.

Funds would be used to acquire a substantial number of Nvidia AI chips, which would then be leased to xAI to support a new large-scale data centre for training and running the Grok chatbot.

Neither Valor nor xAI provided comments in response to media enquiries. Some financial institutions involved in the talks have reportedly pushed for repayment within three years and are seeking to limit borrowing amounts to reduce risk exposure.

Developing and deploying advanced AI systems requires a vast investment in hardware, computational resources and specialist talent. Companies like OpenAI, Google and China-based DeepSeek compete intensely in this domain.

In a post on X, Musk confirmed that Grok is being trained using a supercluster with 230,000 GPUs, including 30,000 of Nvidia’s GB200 chips. Another supercluster will launch soon, beginning with 550,000 GB200 and GB300 chips.

Reports suggest xAI may spend around US$13 billion in 2025. Earlier in July, Financial Times reported that xAI was discussing raising funds in a deal potentially valuing the firm between US$170 billion and US$200 billion.

In response to those claims, Musk denied that fundraising was ongoing, stating: ‘We have plenty of capital.’

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EE expands 5G standalone network to reach over half the UK population

EE’s 5G standalone network is set to reach more than 34 million people across the UK by the end of August. The expansion will cover over half of the country’s population, including major cities, holiday destinations and key sporting and entertainment venues.

The telecom provider has already launched the upgraded network in many towns and cities, with a further 38 locations joining by the end of next month. These include places such as Aberdeen, Canterbury, Grimsby, Ipswich, Salisbury, Wrexham and Yeovil, among others.

5G standalone networks offer faster, more secure and low-latency mobile experiences without relying on older 4G infrastructure.

According to BT Group’s chief networks officer, the rollout is designed to improve performance whether someone is on a packed train platform, livestreaming at a concert, or calling loved ones from a holiday destination.

EE’s move is part of a broader strategy to improve everyday connectivity across the UK, aiming to deliver a more seamless experience for millions rather than limiting high-speed coverage to major urban centres alone.

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Telegram rolls out TON Wallet for US users

Telegram’s crypto journey has taken a significant leap as its built-in TON Wallet is now available to users in the United States. For the first time, a major messaging app in the US market integrates a self-custodial crypto wallet directly into its interface.

The move comes after a lengthy delay due to regulatory uncertainty. Telegram previously viewed the US as a difficult environment, but recent changes in the regulatory landscape have improved the situation.

According to The Open Platform CEO Andrew Rogozov, the SEC’s recent decisions to narrow enforcement and drop certain cases contributed to a more predictable climate.

Now built into Telegram, TON Wallet lets users manage assets, send stablecoins, and swap tokens—no extensions, seed phrases, or extra apps needed. Onboarding uses a split-key system, linking recovery to the user’s account and email—all within the app.

The wallet is integrated with MoonPay, enabling zero-fee purchases, debit card on-ramps, and seamless crypto transactions while outsourcing compliance-related processes. Rogozov said the goal is to offer a crypto experience that feels as natural as sending a message.

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Autonomous vehicles fuel surge in 5G adoption

The global 5G automotive market is expected to grow sharply from $2.58 billion in 2024 to $31.18 billion by 2034, fuelled by the rapid adoption of connected and self-driving vehicles.

A compound annual growth rate of over 28% reflects the strong momentum behind the transition to smarter mobility and safer road networks.

Vehicle-to-everything communication is predicted to lead adoption, as it allows vehicles to exchange real-time data with other cars, infrastructure and even pedestrians.

In-car entertainment systems are also growing fast, with consumers demanding smoother connectivity and on-the-go access to apps and media.

Autonomous driving, advanced driver-assistance features and real-time navigation all benefit from 5G’s low latency and high-speed capabilities. Automakers such as BMW have already begun integrating 5G into electric models to support automated functions.

Meanwhile, the US government has pledged $1.5 billion to build smart transport networks that rely on 5G-powered communication.

North America remains ahead due to early 5G rollouts and strong manufacturing bases, but Asia Pacific is catching up fast through smart city investment and infrastructure development.

Regulatory barriers and patchy rural coverage continue to pose challenges, particularly in regions with strict data privacy laws or limited 5G networks.

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Hong Kong Post cyberattack exposes EC‑Ship user data

A cyberattack on the Hong Kong Post has been confirmed. Targeting its EC‑Ship online shipping portal, the attack compromised personal address‑book information for approximately 60,000 to 70,000 users.

The data breach included names, physical addresses, phone and fax numbers, and email addresses of both senders and recipients.

The incident, detected late Sunday into Monday, involved an attacker using a legitimate EC‑Ship account to exploit a code vulnerability. Though the system’s security protocols identified unusual activity and suspended the account, the hacker persisted until the flaw was fully patched.

Affected customers received email alerts and were advised to monitor their information closely and alert contacts of potential phishing attempts.

Hong Kong Post is now collaborating with the Hong Kong Police Force, the Digital Policy Office, and the Office of the Privacy Commissioner. It implements a layered cybersecurity solution managed by the government’s Digital Policy Office.

The Postmaster General emphasised that remediation steps have been taken to close the loophole and pledged ongoing infrastructure improvements. An official investigation is underway to reinforce resilience and safeguard user data.

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North Korea turns to Russia for AI development help

North Korea is dispatching AI researchers, interns and students to countries such as Russia in an effort to strengthen its domestic tech sector, according to a report by NK News.

The move comes despite strict UN sanctions that restrict technological exchange, particularly in high-priority areas like AI.

Kim Kwang Hyok, head of the AI Institute at Kim Il Sung University, confirmed the strategy in an interview with a pro-Pyongyang outlet in Japan. He admitted that international restrictions remain a major hurdle but noted that researchers continue developing AI applications within North Korea regardless.

Among the projects cited is ‘Ryongma’, a multilingual translation app supporting English, Russian, and Chinese, which has been available on mobile devices since 2021.

Kim also mentioned efforts to develop an AI-driven platform for a hospital under construction in Pyongyang. However, technical limitations remain considerable, with just three known semiconductor plants operating in the country.

While Russia may seem like a natural partner, its own dependence on imported hardware limits how much it can help.

A former South Korean diplomat told NK News that Moscow lacks the domestic capacity to provide high-performance chips essential for advanced AI work, making large-scale collaboration difficult.

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Italy challenges tech giants over VAT on user data

Meta, LinkedIn and X have filed appeals against a sweeping VAT claim by Italy, marking the first time the country has failed to settle such cases with major tech firms. Italy is demanding nearly €1 billion combined over the value of user data exchanged during free account registrations.

Italian authorities argue that providing platform access in exchange for personal data constitutes a taxable service, which if upheld, could have far-reaching implications across the EU. The case marks a significant legal shift as it challenges traditional definitions of taxable transactions in the digital economy.

Meta strongly disagreed with the concept, saying it should not be liable for VAT on free platform access. While LinkedIn offered no public comment, X did not respond to media inquiries.

Italy is now preparing to refer the issue to the EU Commission’s VAT Committee for advisory input. Though the committee’s opinion will not be binding, a rejection could derail Italy’s efforts and lead to a withdrawal of the tax claims.

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