Amazon Alexa+ released to the general public via an early access website

Summary

Anyone can now try Alexa+, Amazon’s generative AI assistant, through a free early access program at Alexa.com. The website frees the AI, which Amazon released via early access in February, from hardware and makes it as easily accessible as more established chatbots, like OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Google’s Gemini. Until today, you needed a supporting device to access Alexa+. Amazon hasn’t said when Alexa+’s early access period will end, but when it does, Alexa+ will be included with Amazon Prime memberships, which start at $15 per month, or cost $20/month on its own. The above pricing suggests that Amazon wants Alexa+ to drive people toward Prime subscriptions. By being interwoven with Amazon’s shopping ecosystem, including Amazon’s e-commerce platform, grocery delivery business, and Whole Foods, Alexa+ can make more money for Amazon. Just like it has with Alexa+ on devices, Amazon is pushing Alexa.com as a tool for people to organize and manage their household. Amazon’s announcement of Alexa.com today emphasizes Alexa+’s features for planning trips and meals, to-do lists, calendars, and smart homes. Alexa.com “also provides persistent context and continuity, allowing you to access Alexa on whichever device or interface best serves the task at hand, with all previous chats, preferences, and personalization” carrying over, Amazon said. The Alexa+ website’s homepage. Scharon Harding/Amazon The Alexa+ website’s homepage. Scharon Harding/Amazon Amazon provided this example of someone using the Alexa+ website for organizing lists. Amazon Amazon provided this example of someone using the Alexa+ website for organizing lists. Amazon The Alexa+ website’s homepage. Scharon Harding/Amazon Amazon provided this example of someone using the Alexa+ website for organizing lists. Amazon Amazon already knew a browser-based version of Alexa would be helpful. Alexa was available via Alexa.Amazon.com until right around when Amazon started publicly discussing a generative AI version of Alexa i...