
This Week in Tech: Amazon's Bold Move, Affordable Smartwatches, and Groundbreaking AI Features!
2025-07-26
Author: Rajesh
Amazon's Game-Changing Acquisition: Bee AI
In a surprising twist, Amazon has snapped up Bee, a cutting-edge AI company known for its innovative always-listening wearable. The announcement came from co-founder Maria de Lourdes Zollo on LinkedIn, igniting discussions around privacy and the future of AI.
Bee made waves at CES 2025 with its unique wearable that captures ambient conversations without saving audio files. Instead, it employs advanced language models to create insightful summaries, actionable tasks, and effective takeaways from your everyday dialogue.
Amazon, despite its early lead in the AI game with Alexa, has been losing ground to rivals like OpenAI and Google's Gemini. The acquisition of Bee could redefine how consumers interact with AI—imagine an assistant that’s always at your side, but this raises serious concerns regarding privacy, especially given Amazon's mixed record on the matter. Will Bee's privacy policies survive the transition? Only time will tell.
Affordable Innovation: CMF Unveils the $99 Watch 3 Pro
Nothing's sub-brand, CMF, is shaking things up with the launch of the Watch 3 Pro—a budget-friendly smartwatch priced at just $99. This marks a slight name shift from last year's model and promises to deliver robust features without breaking the bank.
While it runs on a Real-Time Operating System, limiting app access, the watch boasts an impressive battery life of up to 13 days. It’s equipped with dual-band GPS for precise tracking, personalization options for workouts, and a slew of health features, including blood oxygen monitoring and stress tracking.
Although it lacks some high-end features like ECG and fall detection, it does offer ChatGPT integration for reminder settings and a stylish design available in multiple colors. The Watch 3 Pro emphasizes health and fitness while maintaining affordability—perfect for budget-conscious tech lovers.
5G Laptops Make a Triumphant Comeback
Microsoft is making waves with the announcement of its new Surface Laptop equipped with a built-in 5G modem, powered by Verizon. This model, although similar in appearance to its predecessors, showcases an innovative custom laminate to enhance signal performance without compromising style.
Targeted primarily at business users, this new gadget signals a significant return of cellular laptops in an era where stable internet access has become essential. With a powerful Intel Core Ultra Series 2 processor, the Surface Laptop 5G promises blazing fast performance, potentially giving Microsoft an edge as Apple explores similar technologies.
Available starting August 26, the new Surface Laptop also comes with a hefty price tag of $1,800, but for many, the revolutionary features may be worth the investment.
Could a Made-in-America Laptop Be on the Horizon?
Tech entrepreneur Palmer Luckey stirred debate at the Reindustrialize 2025 Summit by suggesting that his company, Anduril, could pioneer the U.S. production of laptops. He hinted at extensive research into domestic manufacturing capabilities and the potential costs involved.
The question he posed on X regarding whether consumers would pay 20% more for a domestically produced laptop has garnered significant attention, as many ponder the implications of sourcing electronics entirely in the USA.
Google Photos Unleashes Stunning AI Features
In a bold step forward, Google Photos has introduced a groundbreaking feature that converts static images into dynamic videos using AI technology. With just a click, users can select an image and bring it to life in a six-second clip through their Veo 2 generative AI model.
Additionally, the app introduces the 'Remix' feature—a vibrant new tool that transforms photos into various artistic styles. Google is also rolling out a dedicated 'Create' tab for users to explore these new capabilities, making it easier than ever to enhance your photo experience.
Facer Returns with Wear OS 6
In exciting news for smartwatch fans, Facer has bounced back with compatibility for Google’s freshly launched Wear OS 6. The updated system brings colorful interfaces and improved battery efficiency, allowing users to enjoy a wider variety of thematic watch face designs.
With new collaborations including fun designs like SpongeBob SquarePants, Facer’s update also introduces a social aspect for users to share their favorite watch faces, fostering a more connected and creative smartwatch community.
VSCO's Capture App Takes Photography to New Heights
VSCO, known for its signature photo editing filters, has just launched a new mobile app called Capture. This iPhone-exclusive app comes packed with over 50 live presets, enabling users to apply real-time effects and manual settings before snapping a photo.
The presets are fully non-destructive, allowing for endless editing possibilities later on. Capture seamlessly syncs with the VSCO app, making it a versatile tool for photo enthusiasts looking to elevate their photography game. Download it today and explore the possibilities!