If all you’ve been using your Amazon Echo for is a “glorified kitchen timer,”, things are about to get a lot more fun. Amazon is giving its digital assistant, now called Alexa+, a big AI-powered makeover that will be available across the UK.
Here’s how your smart speaker is changing:
From robotic to “talkative”
For years, critics have said that the Echo hasn’t changed, but newer AI tools like ChatGPT and Claude have made talking to people feel more natural. Amazon’s answer to that is Alexa+.
Real Conversations: The new system can do more than just take orders; it can also follow threads and be more proactive.
Local Flavour
In a UK demo, the new Alexa might tell you to “leave the brolly at home” instead of just saying “no rain expected”. This is because the forecast is for sunny weather, so you’ll be “sorted”.
A New Experience
Experts say the change will be “polarising”, with some people loving the relaxed atmosphere and others finding it strange to hear a speaker talk at first.
The Cost of Moving Forward
Reports say that Amazon’s “devices and services” department has lost billions, which will lead to layoffs in 2022 and 2025. Alexa+ is part of the plan to make the Echo finally earn money.
Monthly Fee
The upgrade will cost £19.99 each month.
If you already pay for Amazon Prime (£95 a year), the upgrade is free.
Rollout: People who own newer Echo devices can use it right away, but individuals who own older devices will have to sign up online.
The Big Picture
About 52% of UK residents have used an Echo, so it has a large reach, but it hasn’t always been popular. Amazon isn’t just trying to keep up with competitors like Google’s “Gemini for Home” by making Alexa more talkative.
Amazon can get better data from these daily interactions, which helps them target ads more accurately, even if users don’t sign up for the paid subscription. Alexa is officially entering a new era, whether it’s as a helpful friend or a tool for collecting data.