Amazon’s Alexa gets smarter: Alexa+ launches in Australia today
After launching in Australia eight years ago, Amazon’s Alexa smart speaker assistant is getting a big upgrade from today with the local launch of their latest Alexa+ system, bringing generative AI conversations to your Amazon Echo smart speaker.
Available today via early access to people who purchase a new Echo device and rolling out to compatible existing speakers over the weeks ahead, Alexa+ is a subscription service aimed at giving you more from your speaker in the way you might expect a real personal assistant to behave.
Alexa+ begins its rollout on Australian devices today. Amazon
Rather than being a speaker that listens out for the “wake word” which in this case is “Alexa”, and then responding to whatever single question you have, Alexa+ follows the wake word with a conversation, allowing a bit of back and forth between you and the speaker should it be required.
Speaking exclusively to 9News, Michele Butti, Amazon’s VP of Alexa International, said: “It’s a massive difference because now the new Alexa that is called Alexa+ is based on the new generative AI with these large language models that are much more powerful.
“You have a longer conversation.
“Alexa is much smarter, can talk about almost anything, from a recommendation on how to negotiate with your boss for a raise to scientific questions.”
Key to the improvement also is Alexa+ having the ability to take actions on your behalf.
“One of the things that makes Alexa very unique - Alexa+ gets things done in the real world,” Butti explained.
“So it’s not just that like other tools that are limited to being a chatbot experience, but it controls your home.
“You can actually book a table directly with your voice.”
The Alexa+ system brings generative AI conversations to your Amazon Echo smart speaker. Amazon
As well as new devices, Alexa+ will work on a wide number of existing devices in this country - Butti is convinced it’s the vast majority.
“Right now in Australia, more than 98 per cent of the customers that are using Alexa have at least one device that is compatible with Alexa+,” he said.
Essentially, it’s just the original devices from eight years ago that won’t use the new system.
Interestingly, once the early access trials are over, Alexa+ will be available with a standalone $29.99 monthly subscription, or be included as part of Amazon’e Prime Membership - a program that costs just $9.99 per month and includes free shipping with Amazon shopping, free music streaming and also Amazon Prime video streaming.
Confused by this, I asked Butti what was going on with this strategy.
“We always meant to make Prime the best subscription in the world,” he said.
“I think what Jeff (Bezos) said [is] that it has to be irresponsible for a customer not to get Prime, because every single benefit can be more valuable than the price of Prime.
“You can watch so much content, free content on Prime Video that is way more valuable than the price of Prime.
“You can get so much faster free shipping that is much more valuable than the price.
“And the same is going to be with Alexa, with music.
“So every single benefit could independently be more valuable than the price of a Prime membership.”
Alexa+ begins its rollout on Australian devices today.
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