- Alexa+ still rolls out to test users and reaches 1 million users after hit 100,000 back in May
- Those with access have taken to Reddit to share their experiences with Amazon’s new AI-enhanced voice assistant
- So far it has gotten mixed reactions but most users appear to be satisfied
Amazon has taken his time with the roll out of Alexa+, the company’s new voice assistant with a great AI renewal, but after hitting the 100,000 user milestone in May, Alexa+ has now reached 1 million test users – a big jump in just a few weeks.
When the company announced Alexa’s first major upgrade in February, it said Alexa+ would only be US-only for now before he was rolled out wide, although that date is still unknown.
It has been difficult to find a person or a close friend who has early access, but now more users share that Alexa+ has been activated on selected ECHO devices. In addition, users share their first impression of the new AI features – which have gained a number of mixed reactions.
Alexa+ enabled from R/Alexa
Alexa’s new voice causes a gap
After deep diving through various Reddit threads, the most important feature that has divided by early access users is the new Alexa+ voice, whose large redesign aims to offer a smaller robot bend (similar to chatgpt) with improved recognition features.
Some users have been impressed with its ability to conduct an equal conversation without having to advance it, with a user who says it gives a natural back and forth flow.
However, the user also highlighted his similarities to other voice assistants and added: “It’s early days, but it feels a little closer to what I have with chatgpt.” At the sounds of it, Alexa+ will have to offer something a little different if it wants users to stay around.
So I actually like Alexa+ from R/Alexa
Another user went even further and described the new Alexa+ voice as “disgusting,” but they also highlighted the fact that the new assistant has the ability to change her tone: “I asked if she could soften her voice and she offered to make it more ‘feminine’ (her words not mine).”
I’ve spent a few days with Alexa Plus from R/Alexa
Testers have generally been pleased with how Alexa+ stands over other LLMs with its detailed explanations and clear understanding of voice messages. A Reddit -User was impressed with that ”[it] Understand all no matter how you stumble upon words. “
Comment from R/Alexa
Another user shared a similar positive experience, but continued to explain that Alexa+ would fall into the trap of contradicting himself, admitting it and apologizing when they called.
Comment from R/Alexa
Despite a few hiccups with the new Alexa+, the response from testers has generally been positive, which makes us fascinated by how it will be when it is widely available. So far, it is not enough for users to fully subscribe to, but time will show.
