Complete Overhaul After 11 Years
"Redesigning Everything About Alexa"
The world's largest e-commerce company, Amazon, has unveiled 'Alexa Plus,' a voice assistant equipped with artificial intelligence (AI).
On the 26th (local time), Amazon held a product launch event in New York and announced various features of Alexa Plus, which integrates generative AI into the existing Alexa.
Alexa is a voice assistant similar to Apple's 'Siri,' and this major overhaul is the first in 11 years since its initial release in 2014. Originally, Amazon announced plans to revamp Alexa in September 2023 and intended to launch it last year, but the release was delayed until this announcement.
Panos Panay, head of Amazon Devices and Services, said, "We redesigned everything about Alexa," adding, "It knows almost every aspect of your life."
Unlike the existing Alexa, which was offered for free, Alexa Plus will operate on a paid subscription plan of $19.99 per month starting next month. However, Amazon Prime members can use it for free.
Amazon explained that Alexa Plus, equipped with generative AI, better understands the context of conversations compared to previous models and uses more natural language.
Alexa Plus performs various tasks such as purchasing concert tickets, ordering groceries, and making restaurant reservations. It can also remember user preferences to suggest personalized recipes, organize handwritten documents, and retain information. It connects with Amazon's smart doorbell, Ring, to display camera footage.
Amazon stated that Alexa Plus can review documents such as homeowners association contracts to inform users whether solar panel installation is possible. Additionally, unlike the previous Alexa, which could handle only one request at a time, Alexa Plus can understand and process consecutive requests and perform an 'agent' role that does not require direct user intervention.
Amazon explained that Alexa Plus is based on several models, including Claude, an AI model from Anthropic, an AI startup considered a rival to OpenAI. Amazon has invested $8 billion in Anthropic.
Amazon plans to increase device sales and make it easier for users to access Alexa by integrating it into its own smart home devices, including the self-developed Echo speaker.
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