Amazon is rolling out new shopping features for its AI-powered Alexa+ assistant, including a price tracker that automatically buys items when they drop to a specified price. This saves you from having to constantly refresh pages while waiting for a deal, as you will receive updated information about changes.
The standout feature is definitely the new automatic price tracking tool. This allows users to set an exact price threshold for the specific product they want. You can ask Alexa+ to track items already saved in your cart or wishlists, or you can track a specific item you haven't even saved yet, such as asking for an alert if the price of a premium hair dryer drops below $300. Once an item reaches your desired price, Alexa+ will automatically place an order for you.
This reminds me of Holdwhich I used to make sure the prices were genuine. Many companies lower the price every month and pretend it's a sale, or raise prices before lowering them for major events like Black Friday. Amazon will make it easier to identify brands doing this.
It's a powerful tool for deal hunters who don't want to miss out on a fleeting sale, but it requires handing over a lot of financial control. The assistant instantly completes the transaction using your default Amazon payment method and shipping address.
I would say the biggest problem with this feature is losing money without asking first. If money is tight and you've forgotten about the price trigger you set months ago, an unexpected fee can be a major headache. It's just not something that should be done without warning.
Aside from accidental purchases, there's also the potential for a gift to be ruined, especially if multiple people share the same Amazon household account and use Assistant. Additionally, you may want to remember to turn this feature off before leaving town or before major holidays.
Amazon is also integrating a new Shopping Essentials tool into its large smart displays. This experience is now live on the Echo Show 15 and Echo Show 21. This dedicated command center allows users to see a dashboard of their recent orders, real-time tracking information, shopping list, and saved items. It also helps you manage replenishment by offering household essentials that can be ready for re-order.
The interface can be enabled by tapping the screen to view product details, add items to cart, or complete the purchase of items directly. You'll soon be able to pin a dedicated shopping widget directly to your Echo Show home screen. For now, you activate this feature using simple voice commands such as “Open Shopping Essentials” or asking “Alexa, where are my things?”
Alexa+ is also getting smarter, offering personalized recommendations. If you haven't completed your gift shopping yet, you can share details about the person or event you're buying the gift for. Assistant then uses this data to create personalized product recommendations that are visually organized by category, which can be useful for highlighting the last few items on your list.
There's also a new option that allows users to add additional last-minute items to an existing order. That way, you can throw last-minute additions into the box before the package leaves Amazon's warehouse.
Source: Engadget
