Amazon has begun what seems to be a very slow rollout for Alexa+, its new AI-enhanced version of Alexa. But if you’re looking for hands-on impressions from everyday folks who’ve actually tried the new Alexa, they’re curiously hard to find.
During Amazon’s earnings call late last week, CEO Andy Jassy told investors that “over 100,000” users are currently testing Alexa+, which Amazon unveiled more than two months ago during a splashy New York City press event.
“People are really liking Alexa+ so far,” Jassy reportedly said on the earnings call.
A hundred thousand people may sound like a lot, but as AFTVnews points out, it’s just a tiny fraction of Alexa’s estimated 100 million-plus active user base, meaning the vast majority of Alexa users has yet to try Alexa+ out for themselves.
Meanwhile, the lucky few who have kicked the tires on the new AI Alexa are generally keeping mum about it.
There have been a few sightings here and there, including at least one screenshot on Reddit from a user claiming to be in the elite group of Alexa+ testers. But details have been hard to come by, and queries for reports about Alexa+ experiences have far outstripped any actual hands-on experiences.
In any event, Amazon appears to be moving extremely slowly—and carefully—with its Alexa+ rollout. That’s in contrast to the tone during February’s Alexa+ event in New York, where Amazon seemed to be giving off “full steam ahead” vibes for the new AI Alexa.
At the presentation, Amazon announced pricing for Alexa+–$19.99 a month, or free for Prime users—along with word that a public preview for the new Alexa would begin in March. Amazon also trotted out confident demonstrations of Alexa’s new tricks, including the ability to control smart devices with natural language queries as well as go shopping, book travel tickets, text contacts, suggest recipes, and more.
To be fair, Amazon said that the initial public preview would only be for a small group, with Echo Show display owners getting first dibs. But given the bullish tone of Amazon’s Alexa+ in February, it’s surprising the preview rollout has been this slow.
Then again, all the major tech players have been proceeding with caution when it comes to revamping their voice assistants with cutting-edge generative AI abilities.
Apple, for example, has reportedly pushed back Siri’s “conversational” AI makeover until 2027, while Google is taking baby steps toward replacing Google Assistant with Gemini. And let’s not forget the new Alexa’s initial reveal way back in September 2023, which was followed by months of silence and bad tidings.
Maybe Amazon will surprise us again with a wider Alexa+ rollout in the very near future, but for now, Alexa’s AI preview remains oddly quiet.
Author: Ben Patterson, Senior Writer, TechHive
Ben has been writing about technology and consumer electronics for more than 20 years. A PCWorld contributor since 2014, Ben joined TechHive in 2019, where he has covered everything from smart speakers and soundbars to smart lights and security cameras. Ben's articles have also appeared in PC Magazine, TIME, Wired, CNET, Men's Fitness, Mobile Magazine, and more. Ben holds a master's degree in English literature.