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Amazon Introduces Alexa Plus, a New AI-Powered Smart Assistant

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Amazon has officially unveiled Alexa Plus, an upgraded version of its voice assistant that integrates generative AI for a more intuitive and efficient user experience. The company aims to reduce the complexities often associated with smart home management and digital assistance by making interactions more natural and context-aware.

Brief Look At Amazon’s Alexa Plus

With Alexa Plus, users will have access to a more advanced set of features beyond simple voice commands. The assistant is designed to execute tasks such as ordering groceries, sending invitations, and maintaining a personalized database of user preferences, including dietary restrictions and entertainment choices.

One of its most notable enhancements is its ability to sustain conversations without requiring users to repeatedly say its wake word, “Alexa.” Additionally, Alexa Plus incorporates computer vision, enabling it to capture and analyze images. In a live demonstration, Amazon showcased how the assistant could notify users about concert ticket availability and recommend local businesses through Yelp integration. Users will also be able to make restaurant reservations directly via voice commands.

Another key feature is educational support, where Alexa Plus can read study materials and quiz users on the content. It also has enhanced travel-planning capabilities, assisting users with itinerary creation and research for upcoming trips.

Smart Home Integration & Entertainment Enhancements

Alexa Plus builds on existing smart home functionalities, allowing users to control devices such as cameras and lighting systems. Amazon also introduced the ability for the assistant to generate automation routines without manual setup.

For entertainment, the upgraded assistant brings improved music search functionality, where users can find songs even with vague descriptions. Additionally, Alexa Plus introduces a new movie navigation feature, enabling users to jump to specific scenes in a film using voice commands—though early demonstrations showed some inconsistency in execution.

In one example, Amazon Senior Vice President Panos Panay demonstrated Alexa Plus’s ability to analyze footage from home security cameras. When asked whether anyone had taken the dog for a walk, Alexa Plus responded based on recorded video data.

Alexa Plus will be priced at $19.99 per month, though it will be free for Amazon Prime subscribers, making it a more affordable option for those already using the service. Prime membership, which costs $14.99 per month or $139 annually, will also include access to a dedicated Alexa website designed for more extensive AI-driven tasks.

The service will be compatible with most existing Echo Show devices, starting with models 8, 10, 15, and 21. An early access phase will begin next month, allowing select users to test Alexa Plus before its full release.

Source: https://www.theverge.com/news/618262/amazon-alexa-event-2025-ai-echo-products-news

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Kritika Mehta
Kritika is a journalist at Times of AI, with over two years of experience specializing in financial and technology reporting. She has a keen eye for uncovering emerging trends and delivering detailed, thought-provoking insights into the tech industry. Kritika crafts compelling stories that engage readers and enhance their understanding of the evolving world of artificial intelligence. Her ability to blend analytical precision with clear communication makes her a trusted voice in technology journalism.

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