Amazon is planning a major update for its voice assistant, Alexa, with the introduction of Alexa Plus this October. Internal documents viewed by The Washington Post indicate that the upgraded assistant will target growing competition from other tech company AI services.
Subscription Model and Pricing
The revamped Alexa, known as Alexa Plus, will be part of a paid subscription, potentially costing $10 monthly. Notably, the current version of Alexa will continue to be available without charge. Amazon management is working on finalizing the subscription details.
Alexa has struggled with delivering accurate responses on politically sensitive topics, such as during the 2020 U.S. presidential election. Rival assistants like Microsoft’s Copilot and Google’s Gemini have sidestepped political questions to avoid misinformation. Documents highlight that tools providing customized news summaries, particularly the “Smart Briefing,” are among the most sought-after features.
Enhancements and Additional Features
The updated Alexa, also referred to internally as Project Banyan or Remarkable Alexa, will introduce functionalities like recipe assistance and a chatbot designed for children. Additionally, new conversational shopping tools are being developed to enhance e-commerce capabilities, aiming to balance the development costs.
Though Amazon has sold over 500 million Alexa devices, they have not shared specific revenue numbers. Reports suggest high development costs and free usage options have led to substantial financial losses in the devices division.
AI Overhaul and Competitive Landscape
In September 2023, Amazon announced a major AI update for Alexa, coinciding with the rising popularity of tools like OpenAI’s ChatGPT. Originally expected in September 2024, recent documents show an anticipated mid-October release after more than a year of development.
While Amazon hasn’t launched a general-purpose chatbot similar to ChatGPT, Google Gemini, or Microsoft Copilot, it plans to introduce Project Metis, a web-based tool to compete with these AI-driven services.
The enhanced Alexa aims for improved conversational capabilities, tailoring interactions by recognizing different voices and posing personalized questions. It might ask about weekend plans or dietary preferences to refine its assistance. Alexa’s upgrade includes features aimed at children. The Explore with Alexa 2.0 feature will offer moderated interactions on various topics, ensuring a safe and compliant environment for young users.
Last Updated on November 7, 2024 3:08 pm CET
