Alexa+ (Alexa Plus) is Amazon’s revamped version of its virtual assistant, now powered by generative AI. Though Amazon is rolling out Alexa+ to many existing Echo devices, it’s not available for free. Using Alexa+ will cost $20 monthly, which is the same cost as ChatGPT Plus. Thankfully, there are ways you can use it for free — at least for a limited time.
Also: 7 useful AI features coming with Alexa+ (and which Echo devices will support it)
Giving Alexa generative AI enables the virtual assistant to do much more than it has been able to do until now. Instead of spouting off canned, pre-determined responses to questions, the new Alexa+ will be able to generate answers of its own, powered by powerful Amazon Bedrock large language models (LLM). Alexa+ will also maintain context, speak more naturally, and process more information simultaneously, much like ChatGPT can do.
How to get Alexa+ for free
The Echo Show 21 will be initially compatible with Alexa+.
Maria Diaz/ZDNET
What you’ll need: An Echo Show 8, 10, 15 or 21.
Alexa+ costs $20 monthly, but it’s free for Prime users. Not a Prime member? Since Alexa+ isn’t available yet, I’d recommend waiting until it is before signing up for Prime. Amazon lets you try Prime for 30 days before paying for it. A Prime monthly membership costs $15.
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Also: Not all Echo devices will get Alexa+ – see if yours made the list
After signing up for a free Prime trial, ensure your compatible Echo Show is linked to your Amazon account with Prime. You can check your account information in the Echo Show’s settings.
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Trying Alexa+ should be easy enough: Simply ask the virtual assistant a question that the classic version of Alexa can’t handle. Here are some examples of what you can ask Alexa+:
- Tell me when the next event on the school calendar is (after sharing a calendar with it).
- Give me a summary of the latest news.
- What are some creative ways to use celery in recipes for kids?
- Find games where X team plays Y team.
- Turn on the kitchen lights and dim the living room lights.
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Determining whether Alexa+ is worth it depends primarily on your individual needs. At $20 a month, the service isn’t cheap, but it is included in a Prime membership, ensuring it is available to millions of existing Prime users. Here are some factors to consider when mulling whether or not Alexa+ is worth it:
- If you have more Echo Shows than Echo speakers, it could be worth it: Initially, Alexa+ will roll out only to the larger Echo Show devices, the Echo Show 8, 10, 15, and 21. That doesn’t mean the enhanced assistant will never come to an Echo speaker, but Amazon said it is prioritizing these devices to receive Alexa+ first. If you have mostly Echo speakers or none of the larger Echo Shows, then Alexa+ may not be worth it now.
- If you don’t have a Prime membership, it may not be worth it: While Alexa+ offers many great features, $20 a month for a subscription to a virtual assistant adds up quickly, especially if you plan to use it primarily to process data and answer questions. In this case, a ChatGPT Plus subscription may be better for you.
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Alexa+ is Amazon’s redesigned version of Alexa, its virtual assistant, now with the power of generative AI. Alexa+ can do things that the classic Alexa cannot, like make reservations, generate content, have more natural conversations, and remember preferences. Alexa+ is like having ChatGPT in your Echo device; it will be able to provide more complete answers to questions and better understand you.
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Alexa+ is slated to be rolled out gradually over the next few weeks. Amazon is prioritizing the Echo Show 8, 10, 15, and 21 in the initial rollout.
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