Amazon's Alexa+ has officially debuted in the United States, offering a smarter and more conversational assistant experience powered by generative AI. This next-generation assistant is designed to be more personalized and capable of handling complex tasks.
*Key Features of Alexa+:*
- *Conversational Experience*: Alexa+ allows for free-flowing conversations, enabling users to ask follow-up questions without repeating context.
- *Personalization*: Alexa+ learns user preferences over time, providing tailored responses and recommendations.
- *Task Automation*: Alexa+ can autonomously handle tasks such as travel arrangements, activity planning, and smart home control.
- *Integration with Third-Party Services*: Alexa+ connects to various services like GrubHub, OpenTable, Ticketmaster, and Uber, making it easier to book reservations, order food, or request rides.
- *Agentic Capabilities*: Alexa+ can navigate the digital world like a person, completing tasks on behalf of the user ¹ ².
*Availability and Pricing:*
- *Rolling Out in Waves*: Alexa+ is currently rolling out to users in the US, starting with Echo Show 8, 10, 15, and 21 devices.
- *Free for Prime Members*: Amazon Prime members can access Alexa+ for free as a Prime benefit.
- $19.99/month: Non-Prime members can subscribe to Alexa+ for $19.99 per month.
*Future Developments:*
- *Agentic Technology*: Amazon CEO Andy Jassy mentioned that agentic technology is still "primitive," but the company aims to improve accuracy and functionality.
- *Missing Features*: Some key features demonstrated in February are still missing from the current rollout, but Amazon plans to continue updating and improving Alexa+ ³.