Amazon is set to launch the new and improved Alexa Plus in the coming weeks. This upgraded version, powered by generative AI, promises a more natural, conversational experience, understanding complex requests, and performing multiple tasks simultaneously.
Alexa Plus will be available on Echo Show 8, 10, 15, and 21 smart displays, Fire TV, Fire tablets, and through the Alexa app. The early access version will be free but later require a $19.99 subscription or an Amazon Prime membership.
While Alexa Plus offers a major leap forward with enhanced conversational abilities and more intuitive responses, such as understanding multiple commands at once, not all Echo devices will support it. Early models like the first-gen Echo and Echo Dot won’t receive the update, nor will devices like Sonos speakers and Ecobee thermostats. However, users with these older devices can still use the original Alexa.
One of the key features of Alexa Plus is its ability to respond to emotion in a user’s voice and remember preferences, such as adjusting temperature and lighting automatically based on context.
The new AI also promises to handle more complex tasks, like booking reservations and ordering groceries. Despite these advancements, not all of the 160,000 Alexa skills currently available will work with Alexa Plus at launch. Although Amazon is working to transition most skills, some, like certain fun skills, may be missing initially.
For users who rely on older Alexa skills, it’s advised to stick with the original assistant, at least for now, as Alexa Plus may not support all the skills they cherish. While developers can work to bring their skills to the new platform, there’s uncertainty about the monetization of these updates.
