Alexa Plus (AI-powered) (free for Prime members, $19.99 monthly for non Prime members)

stay tuned… will it or not! :man_shrugging: :man_shrugging:

1 Like

Don’t know if this is part of the new smarter Alexa, I’ve not subscribed and don’t plan to.

Today Alexa noticed that the battery level on my Samsung motion sensor was low. It even knew the correct battery type, CR2, that was needed. And, of course, gave me a handy link to order new ones from Amazon.

No, that’s nothing new, at least not for me. I get a suggestion to order new batteries on Amazon for one IKEA motion sensor ( just 1 of 12 or so) every couple of months. Had that for about a year now, so I’m hoping AI is going to give me a bit more than that.

last I heard… the new Alexa has been delayed until next year

2 Likes

Ok, thanks. I’ve only got a handful of battery operated devices. It’s probably been a couple of years since I had to change a sensor battery.

It’s a solution in search of a problem, IMO.

2 Likes
2 Likes

Surprised they care as it does this now on the regular.

I asked the other day what movies are in theaters and it proceeded to tell me what was in theaters in 2022.

Could Alexa AI be announced on February 26th?

1 Like

Alexa Plus is $19.99 per month on its own or free for Amazon Prime members

4 Likes

I like it.

The conversational mode looks good, the live demo went great, I personally liked the examples they picked because I think they are spot on for the target audience. Practical without being too complicated.

I especially really liked when the guy asks if anyone has let the dog out today and Alexa + responds with the dog’s name and says that she has checked the cameras, and the dog was outside just a few minutes ago. That was very cool.

I also think it’s interesting that it’s going to be free for prime members. That’s clever from both directions.

One note: at least for now you do have to have at least one of the echo with screen models from the current model line.

We will prioritize Echo Show 8, 10, 15, and 21 device owners in the early access period.

However, if I’m reading this correctly, as long as you have one of those devices, you can then use the AI on any of your echo devices and on your laptop and phone. :thinking:

5 Likes

Interesting article on the new Alexa plus features. It points out that it includes integrations with specific partner companies, like GrubHub for food delivery, which allows it to use agents to actually take action rather than just suggest actions that can be taken.

Since Alexa typically has a high trust rating with users, this might be a way for Amazon to finally Generate some profits from Alexa while still keeping customers happy. :sunglasses:

1 Like

i’m still trying to wrap my head around the price. Why is it $19.99/month for non-Prime members when you can get a whole damn Prime subscription for $14.99/month?

To influence perceived value of the service and the Prime subscription and, maybe, justify future Prime price increases while still selling it as a deal.

6 Likes

A ChatGPT plus subscription is the same $19.99 per month. So I agree with everything that @mocelet just said, but I also think they wanted to say “we’re in the same category as that. But prime members will get it free!”

3 Likes

Jennifer Tuohy at the Verge, Who is always excellent on the technical details rather than just going with the marketing releases, says that the new Alexa plus Will allow you to create some Alexa routines by voice, and you won’t even have to be that specific.

When the routine is created, Alexa plus Will tell you what it’s going to do, and ask you if that’s correct.

I know several community members here have hoped for that kind of functionality with SmartThings, so it’s interesting to see it coming with Alexa plus.

2 Likes

So happy to see the Echo Shows will be inheriting the SmartHome interface from the Echo Hub

1 Like
1 Like

I guess it depends if it’s how routines function currently, which is limited as all heck compared to any other platform.

1 Like

The following is why it took Amazon so long to get here, and I think it makes sense:

”You need a level of accuracy in smart homes that’s unmatched, unprecedented in the industry. We need to lock the door when you ask,” he said. “We’ve done this for years, so we understand it. How you manage the prompts, how you retrain the models, how you make sure that the Alexa models are fundamentally trained for specific smart home scenarios so hallucinations don’t happen. Take a bit of time. Make sure it’s right. No feature will be released unless we know it’s 100 percent going to get you there.”

3 Likes