Amazon has launched a major update to their voice assistant ‘Alexa’. The new and improved Alexa+ will heavily utilize generative AI features that will help it to be be more intelligent, conversational, and capable, and will be available to Prime members at no additional cost
Amazon, who personifies its assistant with female pronouns, says ‘she’s smarter, more conversational, more capable, and free with Prime.’
But what does this mean in practice, exactly what is Alexa+, how does the tech behind Alexa+ work and how can you start using it? We’ve got you covered with this in depth guide to Alexa+.
What Is Alexa+?
Alexa+ is an upgraded version of Amazon’s voice assistant ‘Alexa’ that is powered by generative AI.
Alexa+ is designed to have more natural and fluid conversations than its predecessor by understanding context and following up on previous questions. It will be able to create a more personalized experience by ‘remembering’ user preferences as well as based on the data it can access. This includes items you’ve bought, the music you’ve listened to, your address or the shows you’ve watched - basically any data that can be accessed on you will be taken into account in the personalisation process.
Through this natural language processing based ability, conversations will feel much more natural. This means you can talk to Alexa+ like you might talk to a real person, including half formed thoughts, slang or longer conversions on more complex activities.
Alexa+ primarily works through large language models. You can build upon Alexa+’s vast existing library of information for an even more personalized experience by uploading documents, emails, photos, and messages via browser, mobile app, or even via email. Using this information Alexa+ can remember, summarize, or take action.
However Amazon has also grouped systems and APIs into ‘expert’ groups that allow Alexa+ to take action across multiple services and devices including everything from smart home products, restaurant reservation apps and streaming platforms.
Alexa+ will be able to streamline smart home set ups by interconnecting all devices more seamlessly.
AI agents also play a key role in how Alexa+ accesses and navigates the internet both with users' direct commands and behind the scenes.
How To Use Alexa+?
Alexa+ will be available wherever you already access Alexa, as well as via a new mobile app. Between all of your devices, Alexa+ will be able to remember context and pick up conversations across any avenue.
The upgraded AI assistant will individually cost $19.99. However it will be free for Amazon Prime members, which is likely how most users will access it.
Alexa+ will officially start rolling out as an ‘early access’ product over the next few weeks to users with Echo Show 8, 10, 15, and 21 devices. The roll out will continue gradually across the US over the next few months.
Amazon has not yet confirmed when Alexa+ will be rolled out globally.
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