Amazon has announced a massive upgrade to its voice assistant by introducing Alexa+, the generative-powered AI version of Alexa.
This isn’t like the normal Amazon updates; it’s transformational. The difference? This new version of Alexa is more conversational and can help you get things done pretty easily.
So, if you were waiting for a smarter voice assistant, this is it.
The best part is that it’s completely free for Prime members! Non-Prime members must pay $ 20$ per month, another reason you must consider Prime.
Now let’s dive into 6 key features that set this Alexa+ apart from traditional voice assistants.
| Feature | Traditional Alexa | Alexa+ |
|---|---|---|
| Voice-activated routine creation | ❌ Requires app setup | ✅ Just speak to create |
| Smart video search integration | ✅ Limited to keyword searches | ✅ Summarized event highlights |
| Document upload & contextual search | ❌ Not available | ✅ Upload and ask questions |
| Service booking automation | ✅ Basic shopping integration | ✅ Full-service booking & management |
| Mood-based entertainment suggestions | ❌ Basic command-based | ✅ AI-driven recommendations |
| Pricing | Free | Free for Prime members, $20/month for others |
1. Create Complex Routines—With Just Your Voice
One of the biggest problems smart homeowners face today is setting up an automation routine. With Alexa+, this problem is gone; it allows you to set up automation by speaking.
Do you want your lights off and thermostat adjusted? Just say so, and it’s done like magic. Now, you don’t have to look up Amazon’s app every time; speak naturally, and Alexa+ will take care of it.
Alexa+ executes complex routines like a piece of cake. For example, you could say, “Alex, when I leave home, turn off the lights, activate the security systems, and start the robot vacuum.” Alexa+ understands its context very well.
So, you don’t have to give robotic instructions; it thinks the way you do. Beforehand, setting up automation with Alexa meant diving into the app and creating detailed routines manually.
With Alexa+, you can speak naturally, and it handles complex commands for you, making the whole experience much smoother.
2. Ring Camera Event Summaries Right on Your Echo Show
You’ll love this upgrade if you already have a Ring security system. Alexa+ can now summarize and present all detected events as reels on your Echo Show.
Before you use Ring’s Smart Video Search to look for pizza delivery clips, Alexa goes one step ahead and summarizes everything that happened; this makes security monitoring much easier.
Imagine how time-saving it would be if Alexa+ could make security highlights of important moments. This means you don’t have to go through hours of footage.
If you are always on the go, this feature ensures that you get quick updates rather than reviewing unnecessary footage.
Combined with Ring’s smart search capability, Alexa+ makes home security much more convenient.
3. Upload Documents and Ask Alexa+ Anything About Them
Even more interesting is that you can now send your documents, recipes, or notes to Alexa+ and ask quick questions about them.
Do you want to check a specific portion of the contract? Upload it and ask Alexa, “What’s the cancellation policy in the contract?”
Or if you want to cook a family recipe, you can upload it and say ”Alexa, remind me of the next step in the recipe”.
This feature is not only about convenience; it turns Alexa+ into a personal assistant that can store and recall information when needed. Imagine the time saved when reviewing paperwork, especially when you need a quick answer without going through a page of text.
For families, this means easier access to knowledge, as Alexa+ keeps every piece of information at your fingertips. Checkout my video to know more about this update:
4. Book Services and Get Things Done—All in One Place
Alexa is more deeply integrated with numerous services, which is beneficial in several ways. Whether you want to book a service or deliver groceries, Alexa+ can handle it all.
Let’s say your dishwasher breaks down; you can say, “Alexa find a technician and book an appointment.”
Then, Alexa+ connects with platforms like OpenTable, and GrubHub, which means you can get more done without lifting a finger. The feature is an upgrade in Alexa’s shopping capabilities.
Before this, Alexa could only place an order on your behalf, but now it can find and book services based on your needs, removing more friction from daily life.
With this feature, Alexa+ goes a step ahead and becomes a real-world problem solver that can take care of your task easily.
5. Smarter Entertainment Controls with Mood-Based Suggestions
We all use voice assistance to play movies and songs, but Alexa+ takes this to the next level. Now, you can ask based on your mood or the moment.
Instead of saying, “Play something relaxing,” you can ask, “Alexa, I need something uplifting.” Now, Alexa+ will tailor playlists or movie recommendations accordingly.
Moreover, we often hear a great song during a show but cannot know its name. With Alexa+, you can ask, “Alexa, what song is this?” It will identify and save it for you.
This makes Alexa+ more fun, enabling it to curate content based on your emotional state.
6. Free for Prime Members—A Subscription Game Change
We have seen a lot of hot discussion around Amazon’s latest; users seem to have a mixed view. Prime members rejoice over free subscriptions, while some expect more improvements as a must.
As Alexa+ comes with transforming features, many expect a hefty subscription fee. In reality, Prime members get it for free. And for non-Prime members, it’s just 20$ per month.
This is a huge win considering how many users already have Prime membership for shopping or streaming. Alexa+ will be rolled out within the next few weeks and available on Echo 8,10,15, and 21.
If you already have these devices, grab on tight to experience the future of voice assistance.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Can Alexa+ control third-party smart home devices?
Ans: Alexa+ supports many smart home brands and easily integrates with hundreds of APIs. You can use it with Nest, Ring, and many more devices.
Q: Will Alexa+ work on older Echo devices?
Ans: Currently, Alexa+ has only announced its launch on Echo 8, 10, 15, and 21. Its compatibility with older Echo models is not announced yet, but updates may come later.
Q: How does Alexa+ handle privacy with its new AI features?
Ans: Alexa+ is built with enhanced privacy control. You can easily review and delete voice recordings and customize privacy settings from the Alexa app.
Conclusion
- This is Amazon’s biggest voice assistant update in recent years; it truly levels up Alexa.
- Now, Alexa+ allows you to set complex automation with simple voice commands. This means you have to set it manually using the app.
- Alexa can now take lengthy footage from security cameras and turn them into short clips featuring moments that matter.
- Thirdly, you can upload your documents, recipes, and notes to Alexa and ask quick questions about them. It makes lengthy documents easier to review.
- Alexa can also book appointments on your behalf.
- It enables mood-based entertainment. Plus, it’s free for Prime members.
Related Articles:
- Why Alexa Stops Playing Music and How to Fix It
- Alexa Reminders to Plan Your Fall Activities
- Alexa WiFi Setup Without the App: Your Essential Guide
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