Is Alexa+ the AI assistant you’ve been waiting for?

Amazon has just released Alexa+, a next-generation AI smart assistant designed to go head-to-head with Apple’s Siri and Google’s Gemini. But what exactly is it, and more importantly, how can it make Australians’ lives easier?

For a bit of background, Alexa was one of the very first voice assistants, and very popular in the US. It’s been available in Australia since 2018, and found in over 600 million smart speakers, screens and other devices worldwide.

The new Alexa+ is built on a foundation of Large Language Models (LLMs), similar to the technology found in ChatGPT, and capable of understanding natural communication, different languages and finding information. Also, Amazon has added new capabilities to perform useful tasks, which have “never been done at this scale”.

Feel like a chat? Just ask Alexa+ about anything. Credit: Amazon

More conversational

Thanks to LLMs, speaking to Alexa+ is intended to be more natural. You no longer need to phrase commands in a specific way to be understood. Stumble through incomplete thoughts, change your mind, or even use Aussie slang, and Alexa+ will do its best to interpret what you mean. According to Amazon’s latest blog, it’s like “engaging with an insightful friend” rather than a machine,

It can do things for you

Understanding you say is one thing, but actually getting things done is another. Alexa+ leverages a new technology called “Experts,” which allows it to connect to a wide range of services on your behalf. Examples include OpenTable, Ticketmaster, Yelp, TripAdvisor, Amazon, Uber, Spotify, Apple Music, Netflix, Disney+, and smart home devices from companies like Philips Hue, Roborock, and more.

You can type or speak to Alexa+, use a smartphone, smart speaker or computer. Credit: Amazon

Alexa+ can also handle multiple requests in one go rather than requiring step-by-step commands. For example, if you want to book a reservation at your favorite restaurant and share the details with a friend, Alexa+ can check OpenTable for available dates, make the reservation, and then text your friend all the details.

How accurate is it?

While AI assistants are improving, they still make mistakes, including “hallucinations” where they generate incorrect or completely made-up information. Amazon acknowledges that factual mistakes are one thing, it’s very important to carry out tasks accurately. So, when controlling a smart device or booking a service, Alexa+ uses “grounding techniques” to minimize errors.

It wants to get to know you

Alexa already has a personality, and regular users will be familiar with its quirks. With Alexa+, Amazon aims for a more considerate, empathetic, and inclusive assistant with a sense of humor. Whether its sense of funny aligns with your tastes is another question, but Alexa+ is designed to learn your interests, conversations, and habits over time. It can remember your favorite music, books, foods, and pastimes, occasionally asking for confirmation to refine its understanding. The goal is a more personalized experience that adapts to your preferences the more you use it.

Now Alexa+ can do the shopping for you, or go out and look for the best deal. Credit: Amazon

Alexa+ can think like a person

One of Alexa+’s most exciting advancements is its new “agentic” capabilities. If it lacks access to certain information or services, it can behave more like a human. So, it will ‘hop’ online and search for what you ask it by “reading” websites and even entering your information to complete tasks. This ability could make Alexa+ an even more capable and proactive assistant than its competitors.

When can Australians use it?

Alexa+ will first roll out to English-speaking users in the U.S. before expanding to other countries where Alexa is available. If you already own an Alexa Echo smart speaker, most are compatible and all you need is an Amazon Prime account. You can also try it out by downloading the Alexa app on your smartphone.

What can Alexa+ do?

• Engage in full and in-depth conversations on any topic
• Provide personalized news summaries from your preferred outlets
• Remember details like your frequent flyer number or favorite recipes
• Summarise schedules, documents, and web pages
• Recommend music and notify you of new album releases
• Check online for when an item of clothing goes on sale
• Create custom smart home routines by voice command
• Order takeaway and arrange a delivery
• Book an Uber, a restaurant table, a spa visit, or a home repair service
• Identify items in photos or from a video camera

(Some services may only be available in the U.S.)

Alexa+ is said to have a sense of humour, and even learn from your tastes. Credit: Amazon

With these enhanced capabilities, Alexa+ is shaping up to be one of the most advanced AI assistants yet. But will it be the one that finally convinces Australians to embrace voice assistants? Time will tell.

More AI news and reviews on GadgetGuy

The post Is Alexa+ the AI assistant you’ve been waiting for? appeared first on GadgetGuy.

About admin

This is a short description in the author block about the author. You edit it by entering text in the "Biographical Info" field in the user admin panel.