Amazon Upgrades Prime Members to Alexa Plus Automatically
▼ Summary
– Amazon is automatically upgrading some Prime members to the new Alexa Plus service, though users can opt to revert to the original version.
– The upgrade is part of a major, LLM-powered overhaul designed to help Alexa better compete with AI rivals like Google Gemini.
– Some users on Reddit have expressed dissatisfaction with Alexa Plus, citing issues like a disliked new voice and slower response times.
– Users have also reported being shown a significant number of ads for Alexa Plus, particularly after disabling the new service.
– The rollout of similar AI updates for competitors like Google Home has also faced problems, including incorrect object identification.
Amazon is now automatically upgrading its Prime members to the new Alexa Plus service, a significant overhaul powered by a large language model. This move aims to revitalize the company’s voice assistant to better compete with advanced alternatives like Google’s Gemini. The update is being delivered without an explicit opt-in process, though users retain the ability to revert to the classic Alexa experience if they prefer.
Reports from the r/alexa community on Reddit over recent weeks confirm the automatic rollout. Users have shared screenshots of a notification from Amazon explaining the change. The message informs customers that after their device updates, they can return to the original Alexa by using a simple voice command: “Alexa, exit Alexa+.” This provides a straightforward method to disable the new features.
The introduction of Alexa Plus represents Amazon’s strategic push to inject more advanced conversational AI into its ecosystem. The goal is to close the feature gap with competitors, though the rollout of similar AI updates elsewhere, such as Gemini for Google Home, has encountered its own challenges. These have included instances of the AI misidentifying objects or generating false reports about camera activity.
Reaction among early users has been mixed. Several Reddit contributors have listed reasons for preferring the older version. Common complaints include a dislike for Alexa’s new vocal tone and perceived attitude, as well as notably longer response times when using the Plus service. Some find the updated assistant feels slower and less snappy than the original.
An additional point of frustration for some involves promotional content. Multiple users report a surge in advertisements for Alexa Plus features. One individual noted that after they disabled the update, their device was “flooded with ads” encouraging them to re-enable Alexa Plus, which only stopped once they switched the service back on. This has led to discussions about the intrusive nature of the promotion tied to this mandatory update.
For Prime members, the upgrade is currently a bundled feature of their subscription. While Amazon is pushing the enhanced capabilities widely, the immediate option to roll back offers a temporary reprieve for those dissatisfied with the changes. The situation highlights the balancing act companies face when deploying major software updates, weighing innovation against user preference for familiarity and reliability.
(Source: The Verge)
