So it’s finally here – just over 10 years, since Amazon’s Alexa Voice Assistant triggered a new (and eventually over) age of voice supports, it just got a bigger AI brain transplant.
The new Alexa Plus will be rolled out in the US soon, with international availability still unknown. But what can Amazon’s new voice assistant do exactly, and will it actually be worth the monthly subscription (or sign up for Amazon Prime) to gain early access?
We’ve broken down everything you need to know about Alexa Plus below, from its pricing to new features and what all this means for classic Alexa. Oddly enough, Amazon announced no new Echo speakers by his big reveal today, but there was more than enough Alexa News to chew on – so let’s dive into Alexa’s biggest update since it first landed a decade ago …
1. It’s Alexa’s biggest ever upgrade
Since Alexa landed in 2014, we have seen Voice Assistant few dozens of upgrades – from improvements to its listening forces to an ability to recognize individual voices. But it is no exaggeration to say that Alexa plus by far the biggest overhaul – it really is a reinvention of the voice assistant.
Powered by models from Anthropic (manufacturer of Claude) and Amazon’s own NOVA, Alexa has an ability to remember personal information and context. Basically, Amazon said we should think of the new Alexa as an orchestral conductor for our favorite services and devices – yes, one that can play an average tune using our private data, at least.
Like Amazon SVP of devices and services, Panos Panay said: “The new Alexa knows almost every instrument in your life, your schedule, smart home, devices and people you are connected to, bringing them together to what is an incredible symphony.”
We will be the judges for it when we get to try it in the real world, but it won’t be too long a wait (at least in the US) …
2. It works on (almost) each echo -device
Judging by the early Alexa Plus demos, the best experience for the AI assistant will be on Amazon’s latest smart screens. Therefore, early access to Echo Show 8, 10, 15 or 21 (whether you already own one, or buy one now).
But fortunately, it is also backwards compatible with most echoes from the last decade, except for the very early ones. The only devices Alexa Plus is not working on are Echo Dot 1. Gen, Echo 1. Gen, Echo Plus 1. Gen, Echo Tap, Echo Show 1. Gen, Echo Show 2. Gen and Echo Spot 1. General.
You can also test Drive Alexa Plus in a web browser, Alexa app and compatible brand TV devices and fire tablets. Unfortunately, Alexa Plus is not available on devices labeled “Alexa built -in” (like headphones and smartwatches), but Amazon said it hopes to bring the assistant to more units “in the future”.
3. Alexa Plus is expensive unless you’re on prime
Alexa Plus gets an initial roll -out in the US over the “next few weeks” and costs $ 19.99 per day. Month – or will be free if you have a primary subscription. Considering Prime currently costs $ 14.99 a month (or $ 139 annually) in the United States, that means there is no reason not to get prime. Which is clearly Amazon’s plan.
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While Alexa Plus apparently will work on almost any Alexa device so far, the initial roll -out will be at Echo Show 8, 10, 15 and 21 from next month. If you buy one of these smart screens now, you will have early access to Alexa Plus. Amazon by determining how to trigger our impulse purchase finger.
Unfortunately, there is no news about an international roll -out for Alexa Plus, but we will update this page as soon as we hear something official.
4. It works with ring cameras – and can upgrade your smart home
Amazon wants Alexa Plus to be glued that makes you use more of its devices – especially those built for your smart home.
If you have a ring -dust bell or security camera (plus a subscription), Alexa Plus can provide summary of detected camera events and show you recordings (for example, a package delivered) on compatible echo -show screens.
It also integrates with Ring’s Smart Video Search that lets you ask natural questions like “Has anyone taken out the trash?” or “When was the last time the dog went out on a walk”? Hopefully the answer will not be “last week”.
But even if you only have an Echo show or a smart speaker, Alexa Plus promises to be a helpful (and much more conversation) voice assistant. You can move music from room to room (for example, “Play the music upstairs”) or create new smart homes with voice without diving into an app.
If you have a four TV device, Alexa Plus will also play nicely with Prime Video – for example, letting yourself jump to a particular scene that you have described.
5. Alexa Plus will run your home life
If you are prepared to share private information with Alexa Plus, as calendars and documents, it can also act a bit as a family assistant.
The calendar functionality certainly looks helpful – in a demo (below) Alexa was asked to remember the dates of the program manager’s daughter’s football practice (from a previously shared document) and add the events to her calendar.
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There is apparently no limit to the types of things you can upload, although it is not yet clear what the ceiling is on the amount of uploads (or info about where this is stored). Amazon says you can share E emails, manuals, family recipes, study material and more.
Obviously, the more you share, the more you get out of Alexa Plus – and it becomes a personal decision for many. Some examples included asking how much oil you need for your grandmother’s favorite zucchini bread, or just “should I bring something to the school’s fundraiser?” Based on some E emails you’ve shared.
6. It is also an upgrade for children plus subscribers
Amazon Echo speakers have become family favorites for many, so Amazon used Alexa Plus to upgrade its kids plus subscription offers – the latter costs $ 5.99 / £ 4.99 a month separately, but you get a month free trial with Alexa Plus early access.
Two features called “Stories with Alexa” and “Explore with Alexa” are designed to entertain your young people and trigger their creativity. A video showed a child chatting with Alexa and asked that question-this was already possible at old-school Alexa, but the plus version takes things up with generative AI-visuals and more.
Of course, it helps if you have an Echo show device with a screen, which is something that Amazon uses Alexa Plus to push us towards -if you buy a new Echo Show 8, 10, 15 or 21, you will have early access to its new voice assistant.
7. Alexa Plus remembers your preferences
One of the biggest upgrades with Alexa Plus – and something that can push more people against a first -class subscription – is its ability to remember information and customize its answers.
For example, it will be able to offer personalized news briefings based on your specific interests (of course gadgets). Its ability to understand and remember your family’s dietary preference and allergies also sounds particularly handy if you like to use it for recipe suggestions and shopping.
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Also, not everything is built around voice interactions. If you have an Echo Show Smart Display, you can also track topics like Deal Alerts or a fresh drop of tickets for your favorite artists.
Inevitably, the more you share, the more functionality you will unlock – so it can be a coincidence of finding the sweet place between useful features and privacy.
8. It will soon connect to many more services
This is clearly just the start of Amazon’s Alexa Plus ambition and demos showed how much the tech giant wants it to connect third-party services to make it your one-stop, Conversational Voice Assistant.
For starters, the connection will be pretty simple, like connecting the Opentable to make a dinner reservation or book an Uber for you while sending an SMS to your friend to tell them your ETA.
But when you look ahead, Amazon Alexa Plus wants to create and fine -tune grocery lists on the go with natural conversation, have these lists automatically edited based on your dietary requirements and integrate close with them like Grubhub and Whole Foods.
In the not too distant future, Alexa Plus will apparently work with specialized AI agents to help you run smoothly in the background. We see how it all works in practice, but Alexa Plus could definitely become a great player in the world of AI voting assistants.
9. It does not replace classic Alexa (yet)
Not everyone wants their voice assistant to get an AI brain transplant – and if all this sounds a bit much, the previous version of Alexa will still be available on your older devices (at least at least).
Amazon would rather upgrade to Alexa Plus, of course. It says “We are positive, you will love everything that Alexa+ has to offer” but that “If you prefer to use the original Alexa, it will remain available on your devices”.
This is good news if you prefer the simpler functionality of the current version, but we will say that the clock is now ticking on the old-school version of Alexa …
