Amazon Launches Alexa+ with AI Enhancements

Amazon has launched Alexa+, an upgraded AI-powered version of its voice assistant, offering more natural conversations and a host of new features, including task automation and personalized interactions. Alexa+ is free for Amazon Prime members, while non-members will need to pay a monthly fee of $19.99. The new assistant, which leverages large language models developed by Amazon and Anthropic, is capable of handling complex tasks such as making reservations and managing smart home devices. However, Alexa+ will only be supported on newer Echo devices, excluding many first-generation models. The rollout begins with early access in the U.S., and Amazon plans a broader international release later. This update positions Alexa as a strong competitor against other AI assistants like Apple's Siri and Google's platforms.