Alexa+ is out of early access and available to all Prime members for free. I used Amazon’s enhanced AI in early access and found it to be pretty capable, especially on a few key tasks.
If you’re sick of robotic AI assistants, Alexa+ promises to provide more human-like interactions. We’ll have to see how that pans out, but Amazon just removed the « early access » tags from Alexa+ and launched it for everyone, so there will soon be plenty more testers. I’ve been testing it for months and found it to be very capable. Here’s what it can do for you, and whether it’s worth investing in an Amazon smart home device to try it out.How to Get Alexa+
Alexa+ is free to Prime members and $19.99 per month for everyone else. If you buy one of Amazon’s latest Echo devices (Echo Dot Max, Echo Studio, Echo Show 8, or Echo Show 11), you get access to Alexa+ right out of the box. On older devices, you might have received a notification that Amazon automatically upgraded you to Alexa+. Otherwise, visit the Alexa+ store page, ask your Echo device to activate Alexa+, or type « set up Alexa+ » in the Alexa app.
When it’s activated, Alexa+ will then take you through an introductory process to learn about your preferences and create a profile. You’ll also be able to personalize Alexa+, including choosing one of its four masculine or four feminine voices.
Not loving Alexa+? Amazon’s Memberships & Subscriptions page still has an End Early Access button, though it’s unclear how long that will last.What Alexa+ Can Do For You
Alexa’s glow-up is more than just marketing. In my testing, I’ve found that it really has become a more capable service. This is all part of what Amazon is calling its « ambient AI » push. The idea is that Amazon wants its services, devices, and AI model to be accessible wherever you are, as long as you’re within range of one of its smart speakers or displays, or your mobile device.
While I was initially skeptical of this « upgrade », I must admit that I’ve found it genuinely useful to have easy access to AI. Amazon has largely delivered on the promise of a smarter, more conversational assistant. It’s not so much that Alexa+ is adding revolutionary new features that other AI models don’t offer, but rather that it’s combining a multitude of functions in a ubiquitous service that’s incorporated into a variety of devices I already own.1. Better Querying
The main role Alexa+ plays in my life is informational. I have an Echo Dot on my desk that I’m constantly querying while working, writing, or watching movies and TV.
