Amazon is prioritizing artificial intelligence in its hardware ecosystem, with Alexa evolving into Alexa+, designed to rival competitors like Google and OpenAI. Key features include advanced multimodal interactions, natural conversations, a revamped Echo Show home screen, improved music control, enhanced integration with Ring cameras, streamlined document management, and engaging storytelling for children. The service will cost $19.99 monthly, free for Prime members, and will be compatible with recent Echo devices, excluding older models.
Amazon’s Vision for AI and Alexa+
Amazon has made it clear that artificial intelligence will remain a key focus in its hardware ecosystem. At the forefront of this innovation is Alexa, one of the world’s leading virtual assistants, which is gaining more traction every day, as highlighted by Panos Panay, the senior vice president of devices and services.
Alexa serves as the cornerstone of Amazon’s flagship offerings, including Echo speakers and Fire TV devices. During a recent event, the company introduced Alexa+, the next evolution of its assistant, aimed at competing with major players like Google and OpenAI. “An assistant that understands you and can actually act,” Panay noted, emphasizing its compatibility with tens of thousands of partner services.
Exciting New Features of Alexa+
Here’s a closer look at the standout features of Alexa+ and the associated costs.
1. Enhanced Multimodal Interactions
With the integration of advanced AI models, Alexa+ is now capable of interpreting visual data through built-in device cameras. For instance, during the event, it utilized the front camera of the Echo Show 15 to convey the mood and excitement of the audience with clear descriptions.
This version also boasts increased autonomy for tasks like internet browsing, allowing Alexa+ to navigate the web and engage with partner sites. In a demonstration, it successfully located a repair service for a malfunctioning device and scheduled an appointment.
Moreover, users can collaborate with Alexa to create and manage shopping lists, with the assistant intelligently suggesting items to add or remove. The new interface features a sleek blue animation at the bottom of the screen, enhancing the overall user experience.
2. Natural and Interactive Conversations
Alexa+ takes interactions up a notch with a more conversational tone, even injecting humor into its responses. It has expanded its capabilities to help manage everyday tasks, such as handling your calendar and emails. Need to arrange a dinner? Alexa can handle the invitations.
In one demonstration, Alexa was tasked with recommending local pizzerias and successfully identified top-rated options using Yelp. Additionally, when asked to remember specific food preferences, it accurately recalled details about a user’s dietary likes and dislikes without needing further clarification.
3. Revamped Home Screen for Echo Show
Amazon has unveiled a refreshed home screen for the Echo Show, featuring new widgets for easy access to recipes, recent apps, weather updates, shopping lists, and smart home devices. The display intelligently adjusts based on your distance from the screen, showcasing personalized content from afar and providing more detailed information when closer.
4. Advanced Music Control
During a demonstration, Panay showcased Alexa’s music capabilities by asking about a song from ‘A Star is Born.’ The assistant quickly identified “Shallow” with Lady Gaga. A significant new feature allows users to direct music playback to specific locations, such as “to the left” or “to the right,” based on speaker placement.
Additionally, Panay tested its ability to jump to a specific movie scene, demonstrating Alexa’s growing responsiveness and reliability.
5. Improved Integration with Ring Cameras
Alexa+ has also enhanced its functionality with Ring cameras, enabling intelligent video searches. In a demonstration, Panay queried Alexa about whether anyone had taken the dog out recently, and the assistant effectively sifted through camera footage to provide an answer, showcasing its advanced analysis and image recognition capabilities.
6. Streamlined Document Management
“You can now share just about anything with Alexa,” stated Mara Segal, Alexa’s director. The assistant can now handle and analyze large documents ranging from legal contracts to school schedules. In a demo, Alexa was asked to add football practice dates to a calendar while suggesting appropriate snacks for the event.
7. Engaging Interactive Storytelling
Continuing its commitment to child-friendly services, Alexa+ integrates features like Explore and Stories. In one demonstration, the assistant was prompted to create an imaginative tale about amusing animals, leading to a story about Benny the bearded dragon, complete with AI-generated illustrations.
Cost and Compatibility of Alexa+
The upgraded Alexa+ service will be available for $19.99 per month, with an estimated price of €20 per month in France. However, Amazon Prime members will enjoy this service free of charge. The rollout is set to begin in the coming weeks, gradually expanding over the following months.
Alexa+ will be compatible with all recent Echo devices, including Echo Show models 8, 10, 15, and 21. Unfortunately, older models such as the 1st generation Echo Dot and Echo will not receive the update and will continue using the original Alexa.