Amazon unveils Alexa+ with generative AI features and a $20 price tag
Amazon today unveiled a new version of Alexa with generative AI features, dubbed Alexa+. However, using it costs money unless you have Prime.
With Alexa+ you can explore any topic, get real-time news, generate images from prompts, order takeouts, make dinner reservations, get details from documents, notes, photos, etc. But patience is required: Early Alexa+ access will start rolling out to eligible customers in late March. Compatible devices include Amazon’s Echo Show 8, 10, 15, and 21 speakers. Alexa+ will also be available as a new app for iPhone and Android and on the web at Alexa.com.
Amazon said that Alexa+ will be available at no additional charge to Prime subscribers. Prime costs $15/month or $139/year. Everyone else will need to pony up $20/month to use it. It’s unclear why anyone would pay more for Alexa+ alone when they can get a Prime subscription for $5 less with Alexa+ and a bunch of other perks included. Maybe this singlas a Prime price hike is upon us?
Alexa+ puts a price on smarter AI features
Alexa+ can do the same things as the regular Alexa and other chatbots like ChatGPT. It enables better natural language understanding, supports full-on conversations and lets you get answers to complex questions. Examples given include asking for information on a specific music artist or requesting information about characters, cast and more for TV shows.
Alexa+ can control multiple smart home appliances at once based on devices, context and knowledge—even with very simple statements such as “I’m cold,” which will prompt Alexa+ to adjust the temperature in the room where you’re currently.
Among the 50 things to try with Alexa+ listed on Amazon’s website is the ability to set up complex routines with voice commands (something Siri should soon gain), such as “Every morning at 7 am, turn on the coffee pot, slowly turn my bedroom lights on and play some peaceful music.”
Lastly, Alexa+ will remember context across devices. “You can start a conversation with Alexa+ on your Echo device, continue on the go with your phone or in the car and pick it up on your computer. Alexa+ remembers the context and can continue the conversation across any of your endpoints,” reads the announcement.
Visit amazon.com/newalexa to sign up for a waitlist and be considered for early access. Alexa+ will start rolling out in the United States “in the next few weeks” during an early access period and then in waves over the coming months.
Source link: https://www.idownloadblog.com/2025/02/26/amazon-announces-alexa-plus-price-tag/
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