Alexa+ announced: Amazon's AI assistant gets more autonomy

Amazon has officially introduced Alexa+, a significantly enhanced version of its voice assistant with AI-powered features. It offers more natural conversations, improved smart home control and even autonomous task execution. Still, these upgrades come at a price. Alexa+ is $19.99 per month but free for Prime members.

Alexa+ is set to launch in the US in March 2025. However, early access will be limited to select Alexa devices, including the Echo Show 8, 10, 15 and 21 (available on Amazon starting at $184). There's no word yet on when Alexa+ will be available in other countries.

Improved voice processing

In the future, Alexa will understand colloquial phrases and incomplete sentences, asking follow-up questions when instructions are unclear. Conversations should also feel noticeably more natural and less robotic.

Enhanced smart home management

Alexa+ offers more dynamic and context-aware interactions with smart home devices. Users can adjust settings with natural voice commands, like "Alexa, dim the living room lights to 50% when the movie starts." In the future, it will also suggest helpful actions based on user habits, such as turning on the heating before you get home.

Agent function: Alexa+ performs tasks independently

Alexa+ will be able to handle online tasks independently. It can schedule appointments, find and book craftsmen and even make payments.

Divided opinions on Reddit

Many users on Reddit, view Alexa+ as a long-overdue upgrade, especially for its improved voice processing and smarter home integration. However, criticism centers on the limited early access to select Echo Show models. Concerns about data privacy, potential increases in ads and the subscription fee also spark skepticism.