Amazon Rolls Out Alexa+ in Australia Amidst Generative AI Showdown
Amazon's Alexa+ has launched in Australia as a preview, upgrading the smart home experience. The new generative AI version of Alexa is more conversational and personalized, capable of completing real-world tasks. Built on Amazon's Bedrock cloud infrastructure, it adapts to users' queries by choosing from dozens of AI models.
Alexa+ promises to go beyond transactional interactions, intuiting meaning and parsing rambling language for a more natural experience. It remembers preferences and family members' voices or faces, allowing users to connect calendars or upload documents. The new system will be free during the preview but later available via a $30-per-month standalone subscription or included with Amazon Prime.
Alexa+ is initially rolling out to Australia on most existing Echo devices, with users invited to test it out at the website. Anyone buying recent devices, such as the Echo Show 8 or Echo Studio, will be automatically upgraded. Michele Butti, vice president of Alexa international, argues that ambient, hands-free availability and shared household context make Alexa+ unique.