- Prime members are automatically upgraded to Alexa+
- Users remain mixed on the service
- You can opt out and go back to plain old Alexa
When Amazon announced Alexa+, the future looked bright for the AI-powered smart assistant, poised to offer agent assistance to rival even Google Gemini and ChatGPT.
But while the service boasts a next-generation upgrade that could revolutionize home assistants as we know them, there’s a long way to go before many of the promised features are fully functional (or actually available to users at all).
There is an obvious reason for this; Alexa+ is still in Early Access, meaning all current users are actually part of a big, big beta test, as noted by Reddit user ir/AmazonEcho. However, that beta test appears to have been extended to a bunch of Prime customers via an automatic sign-up for the service, as reported by The Verge, and that has once again excited the user base.
That said, if your main reasons for opting out are preventative, it’s worth trying out the service for yourself, as there are a few very happy customers who might convince you otherwise.
It could be worse…
Am I the only person on the planet who actually likes Alexa+? from r/amazonecho
We’ve already covered some of these recent concerns, as well as our own early access Alexa+ hands-on testing, but it’s not all doom and gloom in Alexa+ land.
In the face of complaints about reduced functionality and excessive ads, some are calling for specific features have actually enhanced when you use the Service.
“I love the change! I can finally get answers to questions,” says one user, referring to Alexa’s improved conversation skills and better search capabilities. “It makes my daily routines smoother and I enjoy how it integrates with my smart home devices,” adds one commenter.
In fact, smart home control seems to be a running theme with those enjoying the service, which offers enhanced voice control from chained requests to setting up natural language automation.
Elsewhere, people are finding new ways to use Alexa+ after the upgrade: “I’m having fun with my Alexa+ in my art studio/shop. She’s my shop assistant and I think she’s amazing.” said a Reddit user in another thread.
Plus, its contextual awareness seems to prove useful in practice for some users: “The other day I was making German pancakes and had a recipe and I could just ask things like “How much flour? How many eggs? What ingredients are left?” and it came along and guided me through the whole recipe.”
… but it could be better!
Look at
In the wake of some such complaints, other Reddit users blame negativity bias in Reddit’s user base for widespread complaints about the service.
Others agreed and acknowledged room for improvement, but with a little more patience than some netizens. “These days, no software is ever perfect at release, and maybe never afterwards. The advantage of Alexa+ is that it’s new, so it has a team of developers working on fixes and improvements, and that can only be a good thing,” said one user.
“Even people with bad experiences with it now should find if they report problems that the system is getting better – because that’s kind of inevitable right now.”
Similarly, other users use Alexa+ as a means to become more familiar with AI: “The reason I use Alexa is because AI is not going away and I want to understand how it works. Of course it’s imperfect, but it’s unrealistic to think that new technology will be fully developed.”
It is a valuable consideration; Alexa+ shows no signs of slowing down, with Amazon recently launching Alexa+ on the web, bringing the AI assistant to a wide range of devices, from electric vehicles to home appliances.
Opt out with ease
Still, there are plenty of disgruntled customers who decide they don’t want the free upgrade, from simple reasons like Alexa+’s grating “Valley Girl” cadence to reduced functionality and an overabundance of ads.
That’s doubly true since the Alexa+ free upgrade for Prime users currently rolling out is automatic, meaning you can’t decline and opt out until the service is already live; Fortunately, removing yourself from the hive mind is a very easy process.
Simply say “Alexa, exit Alexa+” to remove the service from your Echo devices, and if you change your mind later, you can rejoin by saying ‘Alexa, enter Alexa+’. It’s that easy!
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