AI-powered Alexa+ with upgraded capabilities is coming next month from Amazon
Amazon has officially launched its AI-enhanced voice assistant, Alexa+, bringing advanced contextual understanding, improved smart home control, and a highly personalized experience. This upgraded version introduces agentic capabilities, enabling it to perform tasks independently on behalf of users. Available as both a standalone service and bundled with an Amazon Prime subscription, Alexa+ marks a significant step forward in AI-driven voice assistance.
Amazon first announced its ambition to develop an AI-powered voice assistant in 2023, but reports from mid-2024 suggested the company faced challenges in integrating AI into Alexa. However, on Wednesday, Panos Panay, Amazon’s Senior Vice President of Devices & Services, confirmed the AI-powered enhancement. Panay, who joined Amazon in October 2023 after nearly two decades at Microsoft, played a pivotal role in leading this project. He emphasized that the generative AI capabilities in Alexa+ make it more intelligent, conversational, and adaptable to user behavior.
With these advancements, Alexa+ can respond to queries, execute complex smart home commands, and engage in natural conversations with users. Unlike conventional AI models, it operates as a model-agnostic system, leveraging Amazon’s proprietary Nova model while also integrating third-party AI models via Amazon Bedrock. Reports indicate that Alexa+ benefits from Anthropic’s large language models, further strengthening its AI-driven functionalities.
This latest version of Alexa can now make online reservations, schedule appointments, manage smart home devices with intricate commands, and even locate and play music from streaming services such as Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music based on ambiguous descriptions. Additionally, it streamlines everyday tasks like ordering groceries and providing real-time event notifications. Another standout feature is its ability to function autonomously, handling internet-based tasks like arranging home repairs. For instance, if a user requests oven maintenance, Alexa+ will search for service providers, authenticate them, book an appointment, and notify the user, eliminating the need for manual intervention.
Personalization has been significantly enhanced, allowing Alexa+ to learn user preferences across Amazon services. It remembers shipping addresses, payment methods, and viewing habits, enabling seamless interactions. Users can also provide specific instructions, such as dietary preferences and significant dates, which the assistant will recall for future responses. In addition, its improved smart home management notifies users about package deliveries, visitors, and scheduled commands.
The integration of computer vision further elevates Alexa+ by enabling it to analyze uploaded documents and images, summarize content, and answer queries based on visual data. A new mobile app and website will allow users to transition seamlessly between platforms, ensuring a continuous conversational experience across devices.
Amazon plans to roll out Alexa+ in the coming weeks, initially making it available in the US through early access. The first compatible devices include Echo Show 8, 10, 15, and 21, with further expansion expected. Users can subscribe to Alexa+ for $19.99 per month, while Amazon Prime members will enjoy complimentary access to the service.
