Amazon is betting big on a smarter, more intuitive future with its Alexa+ update. CEO Andy Jassy announced during the latest earnings call that over 100,000 users have already embraced the new assistant in the U.S., with plans to launch it globally before the year ends.
Initially available as an Early Access programme for Echo Show owners, Alexa+ is now set to roll out gradually to a broader audience of Echo users. One standout feature is its ability to hold a conversation without having to repeatedly say the wake word. You might be hosting a dinner party one evening and simply say, ‘Alexa, open the shades, switch on the driveway and porch lights, dial up the temperature by five degrees, and cue some mellow dinner music’—and it just works.
Prime members enjoy this enhanced experience at no extra charge, while non-members can sign up for $19.99 a month. Built to respond to a wide range of queries and tasks more naturally and efficiently, Alexa+ follows Amazon’s recent efforts to integrate more advanced AI into its technology—an initiative partly inspired by innovations like ChatGPT.
After overcoming early technical snags, the rollout is gaining solid momentum. With 54% of consumers preferring voice commands for their speed over traditional methods like typing or using a touchscreen, Alexa+ is set to make your smart home interactions smoother and more enjoyable. For anyone who’s ever struggled with clunky voice commands, this upgrade could be just what you need.
