Amazon’s next-gen voice assistant, Alexa+, is inching closer to public release. The company confirmed that over 1 million users are now testing the Alexa+ generative AI assistant, a significant leap from the 100,000 users reported just weeks ago. Although it hasn’t officially launched, early adopters who joined the waitlist have steadily been receiving invitations to try it out.
Initially announced in February 2025, Alexa+ aims to reinvent the Alexa experience using generative AI, offering more natural, personalized, and capable interactions. Unlike earlier versions, this upgrade feels less like a rigid voice command tool and more like an intelligent, adaptable assistant.
Currently, Alexa+ is free for Early Access users. Once fully launched, it will remain free for Prime members, while non-Prime users will pay $19.99/month to access the service.
A Smarter, More Human-Like Assistant
Alexa+ is designed to move beyond simple commands, allowing users to interact in a more conversational and intuitive way. You could say something like, “It’s too cold in here,” and Alexa will adjust your thermostat accordingly. The assistant can also recall user preferences—like favorite songs, routines, or even saved recipes—creating a more personalized experience over time.
Amazon’s AI-infused assistant now includes capabilities like:
- Summarizing emails and smart home activity
- Creating bedtime stories or travel itineraries
- Generating quizzes from study materials
- Providing real-time answers like an AI chatbot
Alexa+ also supports multimodal interactions, allowing users to pivot conversations, interrupt, or refine commands mid-task. Plus, the assistant is integrated with top platforms like OpenTable, Ticketmaster, Uber Eats, Tripadvisor, Grubhub, Priceline, and Thumbtack, letting users take action—like booking a table, buying concert tickets, or tracking deals—with a simple voice command.
Still in Early Access, but Nearly Fully Featured
As of now, Alexa+ is only available on Echo Show 8, 10, 15, and 21 devices in the U.S., but Amazon plans to extend support to more Echo, Fire TV, and Fire tablet devices in the coming months. The rollout has been deliberate, with Amazon confirming that nearly 90% of the promised features have already shipped.
Users have taken to social media to share their impressions. While some praise Alexa+ for being significantly more responsive and flexible than Apple’s Siri, others say it still feels like a work in progress—with occasional glitches and inconsistent performance.
Nonetheless, Amazon’s bet on monetizing Alexa through generative AI appears to be gaining traction. While the original Alexa devices helped popularize smart homes, Amazon struggled to generate substantial revenue from the voice assistant. Alexa+ could change that, creating a platform where AI services and transactions intersect seamlessly.
As Amazon continues to roll out invites, the full launch of Alexa+ looks imminent—bringing a new level of intelligence to the voice assistant millions already rely on.
