Over a million people now have access to the gen-AI powered Alexa+
▼ Summary
– Amazon’s upgraded AI-powered assistant, Alexa+, is now available to over a million users via invite-only Early Access, though it remains unavailable to the public.
– Alexa+ offers more natural interactions, smart home integration, and expanded AI capabilities, aiming to modernize the digital assistant experience.
– The service will be free for Prime users post-launch, while non-Prime users will pay $19.99/month; it’s currently free during Early Access.
– Alexa+ includes generative AI features like summarizing emails, creating bedtime stories, and assisting with tasks like booking reservations via partners like OpenTable and Ticketmaster.
– Early user feedback on Alexa+ is mixed, with some praising its advancements over competitors like Siri, while others note it still feels unpolished.
Amazon’s next-generation AI assistant Alexa+ has expanded its reach to over one million users, marking a significant milestone in the company’s push to revitalize its voice technology with generative AI capabilities. Currently available by invitation only, the upgraded service offers more fluid conversations, deeper smart home integration, and advanced features that set it apart from traditional voice assistants.
The tech giant has been gradually onboarding users from its waitlist since February, with early adopters sharing their experiences across social media. Unlike the standard Alexa, Alexa+ leverages generative AI to deliver personalized responses, allowing users to phrase requests naturally, like asking it to “make it warmer” instead of using rigid commands. The assistant can also summarize emails, craft bedtime stories, and even help book reservations through partners like OpenTable and Ticketmaster.
During its early access phase, Alexa+ remains free, though Amazon plans to make it a Prime-exclusive benefit upon full launch. Non-Prime subscribers will eventually pay $19.99 per month for access, positioning the service as a premium offering. Currently, it works on select Echo Show devices in the U.S., with plans to expand to Fire TV and tablet users later.
Despite its advancements, early feedback has been mixed. Some testers praise its conversational depth compared to rivals like Siri, while others note inconsistencies in performance. Amazon acknowledges the system is still refining, with nearly 90% of promised features now active.
The launch represents Amazon’s bid to reclaim dominance in the voice assistant space, where Alexa once led before newer AI tools like ChatGPT raised consumer expectations. By integrating generative AI, Alexa+ aims to transform from a simple command tool into an intuitive, proactive assistant, one that could finally turn Amazon’s voice tech into a profitable venture.
Image Credits: Amazon
(Source: TechCrunch)
