Alibaba has expanded its artificial intelligence hardware lineup at the 2026 Apsara Conference, unveiling an agentic computer, new smart glasses, AI earbuds and an upgraded portable note-taking device built around its Qwen models.
The announcements extend Alibaba’s AI push beyond cloud infrastructure, foundation models and proprietary chips into devices intended to give software agents more direct access to workplace and everyday context.
The hardware launch follows Alibaba’s broader full-stack AI roadmap, which includes new proprietary AI chips, Qwen models, agent platforms and expanded cloud infrastructure.
Qwen Book combines models, operating system and cloud services
Alibaba Cloud described Qwen Book as an AI agentic computer powered by Qwen Desktop OS, an AI-native operating system that integrates Qwen models, applications and cloud services into a single environment.
The company said the system is designed around an “OS as Harness” approach in which the operating system exposes interface context, runtime controls and access to software and hardware so an agent can understand tasks and execute actions while remaining governed.
In one example shown by Alibaba, a user can give voice instructions through a stylus while editing a presentation. Qwen Book can retrieve the relevant file from the cloud, locate the slide, invoke editing tools and prepare changes for the user to review and approve.
Alibaba adds smart glasses and AI earbuds
Alibaba also introduced the Qwen Glasses N1 and N1 Pro in China. The devices include first-person capture through a 50-megapixel sensor, while the N1 Pro adds eye tracking for visual interaction, object recognition and iris-based payment.
The company also introduced Qwen Clip, its first AI earbuds. The open-ear device integrates the Qwen assistant for translation, note taking and voice-driven tasks and was co-engineered with Bose, according to Alibaba.
Pre-orders for the new wearables opened on September 22, with sales scheduled for October 13.
QwenNote turns conversations into agent context
Alibaba’s QwenNote A2 is designed to capture offline conversations and turn them into structured context for AI agents. The device integrates with workplace agent QwenWork, which can use transcribed conversations to send messages, create tasks, schedule follow-up meetings or generate spreadsheets.
QwenNote A2 uses Alibaba’s Qwen-Audio model, weighs 67 grams, includes six microphones with a pickup range of up to eight meters and supports built-in 4G connectivity. Alibaba said audio is encrypted during transmission and deleted after transcription, while text and summaries are retained.
The device is priced at RMB 1,199 and went on sale in China on September 22.
The new hardware suggests Alibaba is trying to build a device layer around its wider AI stack rather than limiting Qwen to chat interfaces and cloud APIs. The practical test will be how reliably these devices can turn ambient context into useful actions while keeping permissions, privacy and human approval under control.
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