News Gist .News

Articles | Politics | Finance | Stocks | Crypto | AI | Technology | Science | Gaming | PC Hardware | Laptops | Smartphones | Archive

Alexa+ Announced: Amazon's Ai Assistant Gets More Autonomy

Alexa+, Amazon's upgraded voice assistant, promises more natural conversations and autonomous task execution. It offers enhanced voice processing, improved smart home management, and the ability to handle online tasks independently. However, these upgrades come at a price, with Alexa+ available for $19.99 per month or free for Prime members.

See Also

Amazon Just Gave Alexa Its Biggest Upgrade Since Debut - and You'll Want an Echo Show for It Δ1.88

Alexa's advanced AI will enhance and power Amazon's top products, solidifying its position as the most popular virtual assistant in the world. Millions of new customers use Alexa every day, driving its relevance in the ever-evolving smart home landscape. The company showcased what's next for its virtual assistant, now named Alexa+, with a focus on multimodal interactions, agentic capabilities, and refreshed user interfaces.

Signing up for Alexa+ Access: A Path to Early Adoption Δ1.88

Alexa+ will begin an early access rollout in March 2025 for customers in the United States who own or purchase eligible Echo Show devices. To try out the super-charged Amazon assistant, users must sign up and be among the first to access the service, which will be free during this period. However, those without a Prime membership will need to pay $19.99 per month to continue using Alexa+.

With Alexa Plus, Amazon Finally Reinvents Its Best Product Δ1.87

Amazon has introduced Alexa Plus, a generative AI-powered upgrade to its voice assistant that emphasizes software enhancements over hardware announcements. By re-architecting Alexa, the company aims to transform it into a more capable personal assistant, capable of handling complex tasks with contextual understanding. This shift reflects Amazon's recognition of the need to innovate beyond its existing hardware-focused strategy in response to increasing competition from AI advancements.

Understanding Alexa+'s Rise to Prominence with Generative Ai Power Δ1.86

Alexa+, Amazon's latest generative AI-powered virtual assistant, is poised to transform the voice assistant landscape with its natural-sounding cadence and capability to generate content. By harnessing foundational models and generative AI, the new service promises more productive user interactions and greater customization power. The launch of Alexa+ marks a significant shift for Amazon, as it seeks to reclaim its position in the market dominated by other AI-powered virtual assistants.

Amazon’s New Ai-Powered Alexa+ Brings Back Personality to Virtual Assistants Δ1.86

Alexa has made a welcome return to the virtual assistant scene, bringing with it a more personal and human touch that its competitors, ChatGPT and Siri, can't quite match. Amazon's new AI-powered Alexa+ is designed to be fun to talk to, with a personality that shines through in its responses and interactions. By embracing a more playful approach, Amazon has managed to revitalize the Alexa brand and establish it as a leader in the virtual assistant market.

I Wasn’t a Fan of the New Echo Show 15 and 21, but Alexa+ Has Changed My Mind Δ1.85

The introduction of Alexa+, Amazon's subscription-based voice assistant, has reshaped opinions about the Echo Show 15 and 21, showcasing the potential of these devices beyond their initial features. While earlier critiques focused on the iterative nature of the Echo Show updates, Alexa+ brings a new touch-based interaction model that enhances user engagement and functionality. This transformation not only redefines Amazon's smart display strategy but also raises questions about the future role of subscription services in consumer technology.

The Future of AI-Powered Assistants Is Shaping Up Δ1.84

Panos Panay, Amazon's head of devices and services, has overseen the development of Alexa Plus, a new AI-powered version of the company's famous voice assistant. The new version aims to make Alexa more capable and intelligent through artificial intelligence, but the actual implementation requires significant changes in Amazon's structure and culture. According to Panay, this process involved "resetting" his team and shifting focus from hardware announcements to improving the service behind the scenes.

Amazon's New Alexa+ Companion Devices Coming This Fall Δ1.83

Amazon's new Alexa+ companion devices are expected to launch this fall, according to CEO Andy Jassy. The company had previously demonstrated most of Alexa+'s new capabilities at its late February event and announced that the reimagined smart assistant would be released in the coming weeks. With the new Alexa+, users will be able to access a range of exciting AI features across their compatible devices.

Alexa Plus Needs a Flagship Smart Speaker – Here Are 5 Things I'd Like to See in the Next Echo Δ1.83

Amazon's new AI-infused voice assistant Alexa+ has been over a decade in the making, and it brings every aspect of your schedule together in one harmonious place. However, with the launch of Alexa+, Amazon seems to have forgotten about its flagship smart speaker, which is now five years overdue for an upgrade. The company is focusing on software and hardware upgrades for existing Echo devices, leaving fans eagerly waiting for a new Echo speaker that truly delivers.

The Future of Virtual Assistants Hangs by a Thread Alexa's Ambitions Remain Elusive. Δ1.82

Alexa remains a wildly successful virtual assistant despite Amazon's decade-long efforts to create an omnipresent, omnipotent helper. However, it has yet to become a compelling business for the company. The latest launch of Alexa Plus and large language models raises questions about its user experience and Amazon's ability to deliver. Despite reservations, the new technology underneath shows promise.

Amazon.com, Inc. (AMZN): Amazon's Alexa Frustrates Jim Cramer Δ1.80

Jim Cramer recently expressed his excitement about Amazon's Alexa virtual assistant, but also highlighted the company's struggles with getting it right. He believes that billionaires often underestimate others' ability to become rich due to luck and relentless drive. However, Cramer has encountered frustration with using ChatGPT, which he finds lacks rigor in its responses.

Amazon Goes Big on Agentic AI Δ1.80

AWS is setting up its own in-house agentic AI team, positioning itself as a leader in this emerging field, which has the potential to be a "multi-billion business" for the company. The new initiative aims to help customers innovate faster and unlock more possibilities through the use of artificial intelligence agents. As one example, the recently previewed Alexa+ voice assistant demonstrates agentic capabilities that will soon be available to consumers.

Amazon's AWS Forms New Group Focused on Agentic AI Δ1.78

Amazon Web Services (AWS) has established a new group dedicated to agentic artificial intelligence, aiming to enhance automation for users and customers. Led by AWS executive Swami Sivasubramanian, the initiative is viewed as a potential multi-billion dollar venture for the company, with the goal of enabling AI systems to perform tasks without user prompts. This move reflects Amazon's commitment to innovation in AI technology, as highlighted by the upcoming release of an updated version of the Alexa voice service.

Tired of Waiting for Siri 2.0? Try These Advanced AI Voice Assistants on Your iPhone Today Δ1.77

With Apple's AI assistant delayed, users are exploring alternatives like Google’s Gemini Live and ChatGPT’s Advanced Voice Mode to enhance their iPhone experience. While Apple promised a significant upgrade to Siri through Apple Intelligence, reports indicate that a fully upgraded version may not be available until 2027, leaving customers to seek more advanced conversational AI options. As competitors like Amazon introduce innovative features in their voice assistants, the gap between Siri and its rivals continues to widen, prompting users to reconsider their reliance on Apple's offering.

No Part of Amazon Is 'Unaffected' By AI Δ1.76

Amazon's VP of Artificial General Intelligence, Vishal Sharma, claims that no part of the company is unaffected by AI, as they are deploying AI across various platforms, including its cloud computing division and consumer products. This includes the use of AI in robotics, warehouses, and voice assistants like Alexa, which have been extensively tested against public benchmarks. The deployment of AI models is expected to continue, with Amazon building a huge AI compute cluster on its Trainium 2 chips.

The Smartest Growth Stock to Buy With $1,000 Right Now Δ1.76

Amazon is poised for continued growth as the leading e-commerce platform and cloud-computer services provider, with its substantial investments in logistics, AI, and digital advertising generating significant returns for investors. The company's diversified revenue streams, including its massive online marketplace and high-margin cloud business, provide a solid foundation for long-term success. As consumers increasingly turn to online shopping and businesses adopt more advanced technologies, Amazon is well-positioned to capture market share.

Is Free Chatgpt Voice Enough to Keep You Paying? Δ1.75

ChatGPT's Advanced Voice Mode offers a fluid conversation with an AI that doesn't sound like talking to a robot, capable of everything ChatGPT does. Despite some minor differences in nuance and response speed, the free version is not identical to what paying users get. The biggest perk for Plus subscribers is access to richer features like video and screen sharing within Voice Mode.

OpenAI Plans to Charge Up to $20,000 a Month for AI 'Agents' Δ1.75

OpenAI may be planning to charge up to $20,000 per month for specialized AI "agents," according to The Information. The publication reports that OpenAI intends to launch several "agent" products tailored for different applications, including sorting and ranking sales leads and software engineering. One, a high-income knowledge worker agent, will reportedly be priced at $2,000 a month.

Forget the New Siri: Here's the Advanced AI I Use on My iPhone Instead Δ1.75

The development of generative AI has forced companies to rapidly innovate to stay competitive in this evolving landscape, with Google and OpenAI leading the charge to upgrade your iPhone's AI experience. Apple's revamped assistant has been officially delayed again, allowing these competitors to take center stage as context-aware personal assistants. However, Apple confirms that its vision for Siri may take longer to materialize than expected.

Amazon Prime Video Tests AI-Based Dubbing on Licensed Movies, Series Δ1.74

Amazon Prime Video is set to introduce AI-aided dubbing in English and Spanish on its licensed content, starting with 12 titles, to boost viewership and expand reach globally. The feature will be available only on new releases without existing dubbing support, a move aimed at improving customer experience through enhanced accessibility. As media companies increasingly integrate AI into their offerings, the use of such technology raises questions about content ownership and control.

Amazon Is Reportedly Developing Its Own AI 'Reasoning' Model Δ1.74

Amazon is reportedly venturing into the development of an AI model that emphasizes advanced reasoning capabilities, aiming to compete with existing models from OpenAI and DeepSeek. Set to launch under the Nova brand as early as June, this model seeks to combine quick responses with more complex reasoning, enhancing reliability in fields like mathematics and science. The company's ambition to create a cost-effective alternative to competitors could reshape market dynamics in the AI industry.

Week in Review: OpenAI Could Charge $20K a Month for an AI Agent Δ1.74

OpenAI is reportedly planning to introduce specialized AI agents, with one such agent potentially priced at $20,000 per month aimed at high-level research applications. This pricing strategy reflects OpenAI's need to recuperate losses, which amounted to approximately $5 billion last year due to operational expenses. The decision to launch these premium products indicates a significant shift in how AI services may be monetized in the future.

Amazon's AWS Forms New Group Focused on Agentic AI Δ1.74

Amazon Web Services (AWS) has established a new group dedicated to developing agentic artificial intelligence aimed at automating user tasks without requiring prompts. Led by executive Swami Sivasubramanian, this initiative is seen as a potential multi-billion dollar business opportunity for AWS, with the goal of enhancing innovation for customers. The formation of this group comes alongside other organizational changes within AWS to bolster its competitive edge in the AI market.

AI Giant OpenAI Ups the Ante with $20,000 AI Agents Δ1.74

OpenAI is making a high-stakes bet on its AI future, reportedly planning to charge up to $20,000 a month for its most advanced AI agents. These Ph.D.-level agents are designed to take actions on behalf of users, targeting enterprise clients willing to pay a premium for automation at scale. A lower-tier version, priced at $2,000 a month, is aimed at high-income professionals. OpenAI is betting big that these AI assistants will generate enough value to justify the price tag but whether businesses will bite remains to be seen.

AWS Showcases Innovations in AI and 5G at MWC 2025. Δ1.73

At MWC 2025, AWS highlighted key advancements in AI and 5G technology, focusing on enhancing B2B sales monetization and improving network planning through predictive simulations. The company introduced on-device small language models for improved accessibility and managed integrations in IoT Device Management, allowing for streamlined operations across various platforms. Additionally, AWS partnered with Telefónica to create an Alexa-enabled tablet aimed at assisting the elderly, showcasing the practical applications of AI in everyday life.