# Alibaba unveils new AI hardware at Apsara Conference

Digest AI · Hardware & Compute · published 2026-09-24T07:30:00Z

Canonical: https://digestai.news/story/alibaba-unveils-new-ai-hardware-at-apsara-conference

## Summary

Alibaba showcased a range of AI‑powered devices at its 2026 Apsara Conference, all linked through the Qwen ecosystem. The centerpiece, Qwen Book, is an agentic computer that runs on Alibaba’s Qwen Desktop OS and can edit presentation slides via stylus commands, pulling files from the cloud and allowing later review on a phone.

Other products include the Qwen Glasses N1 and N1 Pro, which use a 50‑megapixel sensor and eye‑tracking for visual interaction and iris‑based payment; the Qwen Clip earbuds that clip onto the ear and provide face‑to‑face translation, note‑taking and voice‑driven tasks; and the QwenNote A2, a lightweight note‑taking device that records conversations, transcribes them in real time with the Qwen‑Audio model, and hands off tasks to QwenWork and DingTalk.

Alibaba says audio is encrypted during transmission and deleted after transcription, keeping only text and summaries. The QwenNote A2 weighs 67 g, has six microphones with an 8‑meter range, supports 4 G connectivity, 40 h of continuous transcription and 18 days of standby time.

## Key points

- Alibaba unveiled Qwen Book, a computer that edits slides via stylus commands
- Qwen Glasses N1/N1 Pro feature 50‑megapixel sensor and iris‑based payment
- QwenNote A2 records conversations, transcribes up to 40h, and integrates with QwenWork and DingTalk

## Why it matters

Alibaba’s integrated AI hardware lineup shows how AI can be embedded in everyday tools, potentially changing office workflows and consumer tech. The devices demonstrate AI‑driven context awareness, real‑time transcription, and eye‑tracking payments, hinting at broader adoption of AI assistants in both enterprise and personal settings.

## Sources

1. [Alibaba unveils new AI computer, smart glasses, earbuds, and a note-taker that all talk to each other at Apsara Conference](https://tech-critter.com/alibaba-apsara-2026-qwen-ai-hardware-lineup) (tech-critter.com, 2026-09-24)

Part of the developing story: [Alibaba Expands Qwen AI Ecosystem With New Hardware](https://digestai.news/thread/alibaba-releases-qwen3-8-omni-flash-a-1m-token-omni-modal-model-with-agentic) (4 stories)

## Cite

Digest AI, "Alibaba unveils new AI hardware at Apsara Conference", 24 September 2026, https://digestai.news/story/alibaba-unveils-new-ai-hardware-at-apsara-conference

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