Alexa+: The future of the smart assistant is coming soon for most
posted Saturday Mar 15, 2025 by Scott Ertz
Amazon is set to revolutionize the world of virtual assistants with the launch of Alexa+, the next-generation AI-powered assistant. Packed with cutting-edge features and designed to integrate seamlessly into daily life, Alexa+ promises to be smarter, more conversational, and more capable than ever before. Here's everything you need to know about this exciting new platform, including its features, availability, pricing, and release timeline.
New Features of Alexa+: Smarter, More Personalized Assistance
Alexa+ is not just an upgrade; it's a complete reimagining of what a virtual assistant can be. Powered by advanced generative AI and large language models, the upgraded system offers a host of new features that make it more intuitive and versatile. Conversations with the upgraded assistant feel natural and expansive, as it can understand colloquial expressions, half-formed thoughts, and even emotional cues. This makes interactions feel less like talking to a machine and more like engaging with a trusted friend.
One of the standout features of Alexa+ is its ability to take action on behalf of users. Whether making a dinner reservation via OpenTable, booking an Uber, or ordering groceries from Amazon Fresh, Alexa+ can coordinate across thousands of services and devices. It can also manage smart home systems, play music from platforms like Spotify and Apple Music, and even alert you to visitors through Ring doorbell integration.
Additionally, Alexa+ introduces "experts," specialized systems designed to handle specific tasks. For example, it can recommend home maintenance providers, book appointments, and even create personalized playlists. With its ability to remember user preferences and provide tailored suggestions, Amazon wants to set a new standard for personalized assistance.
Amazon also intends to improve the experiences of several of the existing Echo speakers' features. For example, music selection should be improved by the use of an AI system. Rather than having to know exactly what you're looking for, you might be able to simply ask for the song that plays at the beginning of Episode 1 of Heroes rather than asking for Eyes by Rogue Wave. We can also hope that the enhanced knowledgebase will allow Alexa+ to help in scenarios like cooking. Imagine being in the middle of a recipe and realizing you're missing an ingredient and being able to ask, in the context of the recipe, what you can use to replace the ingredient.
Availability and Pricing: Who Can Access Alexa+?
Alexa+ will initially roll out in the United States, with a phased release starting in March 2025. The platform will first be available to households equipped with Echo Show devices, including models 8, 10, 15, and the newly introduced Echo Show 21. Amazon plans to expand compatibility to other Alexa-enabled devices and introduce a dedicated mobile app in the coming months.
As for pricing, Alexa+ is free for Amazon Prime members, making it an excellent value-added service for existing subscribers. Non-Prime members can access Alexa+ for a monthly fee of $19.99, which is competitive with other AI-powered assistants on the market. This pricing structure certainly encourages users to subscribe to Prime, as the price for Prime is less than the price for the subscription alone ($139 per year for Prime and $239.88 per year for Alexa+ alone).
Conclusion
Alexa+ represents a significant leap forward in the world of virtual assistants. With its advanced AI capabilities, seamless integration with smart home devices, and personalized user experience, the system is poised to become an indispensable part of daily life. Whether you're a Prime member looking to enhance your subscription benefits or a new user eager to explore the possibilities of AI, the new upgrade offers something for everyone.
As the platform continues to roll out, the future of smart assistance looks brighter than ever. Stay tuned for more updates as Alexa+ becomes available to a wider audience in the coming months.
