Amazon just introduced several updates to Alexa+, the advanced version of its digital assistant. The company aims to create a more deeply integrated, context-aware user experience. Alexa+ is becoming the core interface across Amazon’s device portfolio, aiming to streamline daily tasks for users.
Alexa Plus’ improved security and delivery management
A key update is the addition of Alexa+ Greetings, a feature to roll out to new Ring 2K and 4K devices in December. “Greetings” uses Ring’s AI image recognition technology to handle different visitors at the front door. The assistant can identify known friends or family and offer a greeting, or it can engage strangers with specific questions to determine the nature of their visit. Furthermore, Alexa+ can actively manage scheduled deliveries by providing instructions to couriers on where to leave packages.
Enhanced media experience
There are also functionality upgrades to your Alexa-powered living room. Alexa+ is now built directly into Vega, Amazon’s new smart TV operating system. This integration allows the assistant to address context-sensitive questions about on-screen content, reducing the need for a separate device.
Users can employ natural voice commands to quickly navigate media. You can instruct Alexa to locate a specific scene within a movie or TV show, for example. For live sports, the assistant can provide real-time updates, scores, and player statistics related to the event being watched. This capability also extends to Prime Video’s X-Ray feature, allowing users to ask for actor information or filming locations as they watch.
Expanding the ecosystem
The assistant’s utility is also growing in the areas of commerce and third-party support. A new Alexa+ shopping widget enables users to track purchases and scheduled deliveries from Amazon, Whole Foods, and Amazon Fresh directly through the interface. Alexa+ also maintains the ability to search Amazon’s extensive catalog and answer product-specific questions.
To increase availability, Amazon announced that a new Alexa+ Store will house a growing list of capabilities, including integrations with partners like Fandango, Uber, and Lyft. Crucially, external hardware companies, including Sonos, Samsung, and Bose, are working to implement Alexa+ into their own devices, alongside automakers like BMW integrating the assistant into their vehicles. This effort underscores Amazon’s strategy to embed Alexa+ as a comprehensive service layer across various consumer technologies.
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