Amazon has announced the launch of a new Alexa+ service that offers advanced smart features for $19.99.
Alexa is about to get a lot smarter. Amazon just unveiled a new version of its voice assistant, called Alexa+, that will let you have full conversations, organize your monthly schedule, check your email, help you with your weekly grocery shopping, and even order an Uber.
It's a significant upgrade for the online store that brings endless intelligence to the popular platform, but it comes with a hefty price tag.
When the service launches in the US next month, those who want to use Alexa+ will have to pay a hefty $19.99 to use it.
That's a pretty steep price to pay, especially considering Alexa has always been free before, but there is a way to avoid that fee: Amazon says Prime members will get it as part of their subscription.
So what is Alexa+ and is it worth the money?
Mirror Online was there for the launch of the service in New York, and it certainly made an impression. During live demos, Amazon's head of devices Panos Panay demonstrated how Alexa can understand your requests even if you're talking non-stop and not directly addressing it.
At one point during a presentation at Spring Studios in Manhattan, he talked nonstop about being in New York and wanting to eat somewhere nearby. Alexa then suggested a few restaurants, even naming the one she thought was the best.
The whole point of Alexa+ is that it learns more about your interests, preferences, and even what foods you like and don’t like. That means when you ask for movie ideas, recipes, or sports news, you’ll only get the information you’re really interested in.
You can even say something like, “Alexa, there are 10-year-olds coming to a kids’ party tonight and they don’t like pasta,” and the assistant will instantly suggest options and ideas.
Plus, it can help you set up a routine for your home without having to delve into endless settings. Tell it you’re going away for a week, and it’ll instantly suggest setting your smart lights to glow at night until you return — it’s that simple.
Moreover, it is possible to control the entire home acoustic system using your voice.
This means you can easily switch music between rooms by simply saying, “Play music upstairs” or “Play music everywhere but don’t wake the baby,” and Alexa+ will understand that you want to play music on all speakers except the one in the baby’s room.
We were even shown a demo where the music from the film was playing. Panay then asked Alexa+ to show the scene where the song was playing, and the Fire TV Stick instantly launched the Prime Video movie and jumped to the right moment.
Another useful feature is checking video footage from Ring cameras. You can ask Alexa+ if the dog has been walked or a package has been delivered, and it will check all available footage and display it on the screen.
Now she can also check your email, make restaurant reservations, find an Uber for you, and more.
The new animations make the whole experience much more interactive. It's really clever and will only get better.
“While the concept of Alexa was ambitious and incredibly compelling, up to this point we had been faced with the limitations of technology,” Panos said.
“We’re introducing Alexa+, our next-generation assistant powered by generative AI. Alexa+ helps you stay organized on busy days, provides insightful answers tailored to your needs, and handles everything from project planning to everyday tasks — all through natural conversations.”
Alexa+ is confirmed to start rolling out in the US in the next few weeks, and then it will come to homes with the Echo Show 8, 10, 15, and 21 in the coming months.
Sourse: www.mirror.co.uk
