Now anyone can try Alexa+, Amazon's generative AI assistant, through the free early access program on Alexa.com. The website frees the AI, which Amazon released as part of Early Access in February, from hardware and makes it as easily accessible as better-known chatbots like ChatGPT from OpenAI and Google. Twins.
Until today you needed supporting device for accessing Alexa+. Amazon hasn't said when the early access period will end, but when it does, Alexa+ will be included with an Amazon Prime membership, which starts at $15 per month or costs $20 per month separately.
The prices above suggest that Amazon wants Alexa+ to attract people to a Prime subscription. By being woven into Amazon's commerce ecosystem, including Amazon's e-commerce platform, grocery delivery business and Whole Foods, Alexa+ could make Amazon more money.
As with Alexa+ on devices, Amazon is promoting Alexa.com as a tool for people to organize and manage their households. Today's Amazon Alexa.com announcement highlights Alexa+'s capabilities for travel and meal planning, to-do lists, calendars and smart homes. Alexa.com “also provides constant context and continuity, allowing you to access Alexa on whatever device or interface is best suited for the task at hand, while maintaining all your previous chats, preferences and personalization,” Amazon said.
Amazon provided an example of someone using the Alexa+ website to organize lists.
Amazon
Amazon provided an example of someone using the Alexa+ website to organize lists.
Amazon
Alexa+ website home page.
Sharon Harding/Amazon
Amazon provided an example of someone using the Alexa+ website to organize lists.
Amazon
Amazon already knew that a browser version of Alexa would be useful. Alexa was available through Alexa.Amazon.com until Amazon began publicly discussing generative version of Alexa with artificial intelligence in 2023. Alexa+ is now available through Alexa.Amazon.com (in addition to Alexa.com).
“This is a new interaction model that adds a powerful way to use and collaborate with Alexa+,” Amazon said today. “Paired with an updated agent-centric Alexa mobile app, Alexa+ will be available on any surface—whether you're at your desk, on the go, or at home.”
Amazon provided an example of someone using the Alexa+ website to control smart home devices.
Credit: Amazon
Amazon provided an example of someone using the Alexa+ website to control smart home devices.
Credit: Amazon
It is reported that Alexa is mostly cost Amazon billions of dollarsdespite Amazon's claim that it has sold 600 million Alexa-enabled devices. By introducing more powerful and generative AI-powered features and a subscription fee, Amazon hopes people will use Alexa+ more often and for more complex and important tasks, leading to the financial success that eluded the original Alexa. Amazon is also considering introducing advertising into Alexa+ conversations.
Notably, in the lead-up to the final release and while Alexa+ is still in early access, it was reported to be slower than expected and experiencing problems with inaccuracies at times. It also lacks some features that Amazon executives have previously touted, such as the ability to order takeout.
