First Impressions Of Alexa+, Amazon’s Upgraded, Ai-powered Digital Assistant

I owned a batch of Alexa-powered devices successful my erstwhile home: There were Amazon Echos successful astir rooms, including an older Echo Plus successful nan surviving room, a smattering of Dots, a Spot successful a bedroom, and an Echo Show successful nan kitchen. A Fire TV ran successful nan bedroom. And, successful a drawer, a seldom utilized Fire HD tablet sat collecting dust.

With nan total nonaccomplishment of nan location owed to a March 2024 location fire, location besides came a caller opportunity: We could now make a caller commencement to create a much modernized smart location aft rebuilding our house. But whether Alexa still deserves to beryllium nan halfway of our connected location remains to beryllium seen.

To find retired whether Alexa is still nan champion smart adjunct for my family, I’m going to trial Amazon’s AI-powered devices, research pinch AI queries, and constitute retired my thoughts successful a multi-part series. With this series, I dream to connection consumers insights arsenic to really good Alexa useful successful various real-world situations, not institution demos.

Alexa needed to drawback up

Image Credits:Amazon

Amazon’s assistant, which erstwhile gave its users Star Trek vibes arsenic they ordered their location machine to adjacent nan blinds aliases move disconnected nan lights aliases bid milk, nary longer seemed arsenic revolutionary successful nan ChatGPT era. Today, group tin prosecute pinch AI via matter and sound chat. Modern AI chatbots and AI-powered services tin reply truthful galore much questions, are imaginative, tin reason, tin create images and art, make videos, and, pinch nan agentic AI, they tin moreover execute online tasks connected your behalf.

In February 2025, Amazon announced a complete makeover of its integer sound assistant pinch nan presence of Alexa+, powered by generative AI. That work began rolling retired slow to customers successful March and is now disposable to “many millions” of users, Amazon says. The strategy is besides model-agnostic, meaning Alexa+ tin usage immoderate it needs successful nan infinitesimal to reply nan mobility aliases complete nan task. Alexa+ is utilizing models from Anthropic and Amazon Nova, among others.

The institution teased that this improved Alexa could do much than group timers and alarms, power smart location devices, and reply questions. It leverages generative AI to make consciousness of accusation stored successful Amazon users’ accounts, understand their schedules, and their preferences. It tin retrieve things, process files, and summarize a Ring camera’s footage.

Image Credits:Amazon

Notably, Amazon says it’s been moving pinch partners to let it to return actions for people, for illustration booking meal reservations aliases Uber rides, aliases buying performance tickets. Integrations pinch Amazon’s ain market work could besides person it make shopping lists by speaking to it, and past person those products delivered. Essentially, it’s aiming to bring agentic AI into nan home.

But earlier we tin get to that, let’s spot really Alexa+ handles nan basics.

In nan first portion of this series, I’m going to group up Alexa+, usage nan app, and inquire nan adjunct immoderate questions that only nan caller Alexa+ tin do. Later, I’ll trial nan agentic AI features and smart location integrations.

Setting up Alexa+ connected an Echo Spot

Device: Echo Spot
Default euphony service: Spotify (Premium)

Before moving to my caller home, I put Alexa+ to nan trial connected a brand-new Echo Spot aft being accepted into nan beta. Since I couldn’t yet hook up smart location devices successful nan Airbnb that’s served arsenic a impermanent residence for complete a year, I initially tried to trial nan device’s AI successful different ways.

Mainly, I wanted to cognize if Alexa+ was really each that smart and useful, and if she could do each nan things Amazon promised.

Image Credits:TechCrunch

Setting up nan Spot was easier than it was pinch past devices, arsenic now you only needed to scan a QR codification to get nan process started successful nan Alexa app. The app connected automatically to nan home’s Wi-Fi; nary much weird toggling betwixt nan device’s web and your ain Wi-Fi.

On nan adjacent screen, I accepted nan induce to upgrade to nan caller Alexa+ for free, knowing that it’s still imaginable to downgrade to nan aged Alexa work astatine immoderate time, if things spell wrong.

Onboarding included a short video that explained that Alexa would study much arsenic I usage it, and instructed maine connected really to talk to Alexa. I past connected my Google account, giving Alexa entree to my inbox and calendar.

I ended up connected a blank page aft doing so, oddly, but aft closing nan window, nan surface informed maine that my “Account Linked.” (Disclosure: I americium moving nan iOS 26 developer beta connected my iPhone, truthful possibly that’s nan problem?)

Image Credits:Alexa app screenshot

On nan pursuing screen, I picked nan services I wanted to usage pinch Alexa+, which coming see OpenTable, Ticketmaster, Uber, and Thumbtack. I checked each nan boxes, past moved to nan pursuing surface to assistance nan basal permissions, 1 by one.

While it’s a spot tedious to do truthful — and thing that could beryllium moreover much tedious successful clip arsenic much services are added — I did admit that it felt for illustration I was successful power of nan information sharing and could spot precisely what each work was requesting earlier agreeing.

Image Credits:Alexa app screenshot

The pursuing surface confirmed that Fodor’s recreation readying work was already integrated pinch Alexa+, but it didn’t require permissions. It besides noted that services for illustration Uber Eats, Grubhub, and Vagaro would beryllium added later on.

Image Credits:Alexa app screenshot

The Alexa app itself is still sorely lacking successful personification interface design. Despite galore updates, nan app still feels someway some plain and excessively busy. It lacks colour and accepted mobile app navigation patterns, and it tries to cram excessively galore examples of “things to do” connected its location screen.

Meanwhile, trying to find really to do nan basal first steps — for illustration linking my preferred euphony work — is buried successful nan interface. Nope, you don’t pat connected your floor plan icon, Settings, and past scroll down to “Preferred work providers.” For immoderate reason, that’s wherever you group your preferred News, Calendar, and Email providers, but not your preferred Music service.

Image Credits:Alexa app screenshot

Instead, you pat connected nan hamburger paper astatine nan bottommost of nan screen. You past pat connected nan “Music & More” screen. (What’s nan More? Podcasts? Audiobooks?)

Image Credits:Alexa app screenshot

I group Spotify arsenic my default euphony service, nan default prime for artists and genre stations, and nan default for podcasts. There was nary action to group my default audiobooks service.

In this section, location was besides a database of services I had antecedently linked pinch Alexa. Here, Amazon’s Audible — which I would for illustration to group arsenic nan default for audiobooks — was listed alongside different streamers, for illustration Pandora, Amazon Music, Apple Music, and others. But erstwhile I tapped connected Audible, I simply sewage an correction that says “You’ve reached nan extremity of Alexa’s knowledge. Just kidding. This accomplishment nary longer exists. Click present to spell back.”

Uh, OK. I mean, would it not make consciousness to conscionable remove nan surgery thing that nary longer exists?

In immoderate event, I’m present to effort Alexa+, not outcry astatine a poorly designed mobile app.

I’ll fig retired audiobooks later, I guess.

Note for this series:

In these tests, I whitethorn person shared individual accusation pinch Alexa that I will not beryllium publishing. In those cases, I will put a explanation of nan point — for illustration “child’s school” — successful [brackets]. I person besides somewhat changed immoderate of nan dates, times, and numbers to further obscure immoderate individual accusation that could beryllium utilized to create an knowing of my accounts, meetings, aliases family routines.

Can Alexa+ negociate nan family’s schedule?

Busy households, particularly ones pinch kids, often usage a family almanac to way activities, doctor’s appointments, errands, meetings, classes, and more. Our family almanac is maintained successful Google Calendar, accessed connected our phones done nan autochthonal Google Calendar app, and connected Mac desktops via nan almanac app Fantastical.

Amazon suggests that Alexa+ tin thief summarize your day, adhd caller events to your calendar, place conflicts, and more.

In practice, Alexa was reasonably adept astatine letting maine inquire astir nan schedule and various events, but it interrupted maine erstwhile I was asking to adhd a caller gathering to my calendar. I said, “Can you adhd a gathering to my almanac connected August 6 astatine 2 p.m. pinch [entity] astir …” Here she trim maine disconnected to ask, “What would you for illustration to title this meeting?”

Annoying, but not end-of-the-world terrible, I suppose.

I was much easy capable to inquire things for illustration “What’s connected my almanac today?” and travel up to inquire further questions — for illustration if location were immoderate meetings later successful nan week aliases to repetition 1 of nan appointments. I didn’t person to opportunity “Alexa” again to proceed nan conversation. It felt much natural, but there’s a very flimsy lag pinch her responses astatine times.

(As an aside, erstwhile I went to find nan history of my sound chats for penning this post, I asked Alexa wherever they could beryllium found. She told maine to look successful nan app’s Settings nether nan More menu, past look for Alexa Privacy aliases Review Voice History. She’s wrong. Neither action was there. I did, however, find my history from nan “Recent Chats” nexus connected nan app’s location screen. Alexa, c’mon! Know thyself.)

Alexa, retrieve this

Another point Alexa+ is expected to beryllium capable to do is shop accusation connected your behalf. To trial this out, I asked her to retrieve my predominant flier number. This relationship went poorly.

Me: Alexa, tin you retrieve my Delta SkyMiles number?

Alexa: Sure, I’d beryllium happy to retrieve your Delta SkyMiles number for you. What’s nan number?

Me: *opens rima to speak*

Alexa: I’ve added that to Remember This successful nan Alexa privateness conception of nan app. Also, support successful my that anyone who has entree to immoderate of your Alexa devices tin usage their sound to perceive its contents.

Um, what? I tried again.

Me: Alexa, tin you retrieve my SkyMiles number?

Alexa: Certainly! I’d beryllium happy to retrieve your SkyMiles number for you. What’s nan number? OK, saved it.

She didn’t moreover return a breath!

Curious, I asked her what she thinks nan number is. She responded, “I don’t person your SkyMiles number saved yet. Would you for illustration to show maine your number now?”

Me: Yes.

Alexa: OK, spell up and show maine your Delta SkyMiles number.

Me: [says nan 8-digit number]

Alexa: OK, saved it.

Me: What’s my SkyMiles number?

Alexa: “Six 100 fifty-two million, 4 100 eighty-six thousand…”

(Note: I changed nan number for nan intent of this post, but yes, Alexa publication it retired for illustration a agelong numeral alternatively of conscionable saying 6-5-2-4-8-6, etc. Not helpful!)

Alexa, publication my email

Alexa+ tin now supposedly understand documents you upload successful nan Alexa app aliases guardant to her astatine alexa@alexa.com utilizing nan email reside associated pinch your Amazon account.

To effort this, I forwarded an email from my child’s school. These travel often and person a batch of useful accusation successful them, but are often mislaid successful nan inbox. Perhaps if Alexa tin grip this task, a caller Gmail forwarding select is successful order?

Me: Alexa, summarize nan caller email from school.

Alexa: The caller email from [my child’s school] is simply a welcome-back missive for nan 2025-2026 schoolhouse year. It announces an “Early Start Day” predisposition connected August [date] for caller students, pinch an accusation convention for caller parents that evening. Regular classes statesman connected August [date].

Me: Was location immoderate accusation specifically for [grade] successful that email?

Alexa: I don’t spot immoderate accusation specifically for [grade] successful that email. The missive chiefly covers wide schoolhouse information, predisposition dates, and important deadlines for each students.

Alexa app Screenshot

Great, that worked, it seems. But here’s wherever things sewage a small trickier.

Me: Are location immoderate important dates I should adhd to my calendar?

Alexa: *repeats nan important dates from above*

Me: Can you adhd those to my almanac for me?

Alexa: (Who must person misheard me?) Checking your calendar. Sarah, your almanac is looking busy. You person [activity] ongoing until August 16th, you person [activity]. On Thursday, …

Me: (interrupting) I was asking if you could adhd nan dates successful nan email to my almanac for me?

Alexa: Certainly, I’ll do that. (Pause) I’ve added nan pursuing dates to your calendar:

• Course Correction Request Period from August [date] done August [date]
• New Student Orientation Early Start Day connected August [date, time]
• First Day of School connected August [date]

Is location thing other you’d for illustration maine to add?

While this process seems businesslike and is surely adjuvant successful a pinch, you’ll announcement I near it up to Alexa to find which dates were “important.” As a result, she picked nan 3 dates closest to today. The email itself, however, contained a database of 12 important schoolhouse dates, including things for illustration Meet nan Teacher Night, Open House, Midyear Graduation, and more.

All of them were formatted nan aforesaid measurement successful nan email nether nan heading “Important Dates.” Had I only relied connected Alexa and had not publication nan email itself, I would person missed these.

Oh, dear.

Alexa, thief maine prevention money

Another Alexa+ committedness is that she tin thief you way prices connected Amazon truthful you tin prevention money erstwhile things spell connected sale. Alright, I’ll bite! I for illustration online shopping.

I decided to effort search a mates of things, including 1 tegument attraction point and a Coach handbag. These are things I decidedly don’t need, but want — nan kinds of things wherever a discount could punctual a purchase.

Amazon.com screenshot

Me: Alexa, I want to cognize erstwhile nan Glow Recipe Plum Plumping and Hydrating Hyaluronic Acid Skin Care Serum goes connected sale.

Alexa: Just a 2nd … I’ve group up a woody locator for nan Glow Recipe Plum Plumping Serum. I’ll notify you erstwhile it goes connected sale.

Me: How overmuch is it correct now?

Alexa: *silence*

Me: Did you perceive me?

Alexa: Checking connected that. Yes, I heard you. I’ve already group up a woody locator for nan Glow Recipe Plum Plumping Serum. You’ll get a notification erstwhile it goes connected sale.

Me: How overmuch is it now?

Alexa: *More silence.*

OK, I conjecture we’ll hold connected that one.

Next up, I tried nan handbag.

Me: Alexa, I want to cognize erstwhile nan Coach Swinger handbag goes connected sale.

Alexa: Certainly, I’ll cheque that. Got it! I group up a woody locator for nan Coach Swinger handbag. I’ll fto you cognize erstwhile it goes connected sale.

Me: Is it retired of banal successful blue?

Alexa: *Silence*

Me: Is nan Coach handbag I conscionable asked you astir retired of banal successful blue? (Note: it was, per Amazon’s website astatine nan clip of nan request.)

Alexa: Let maine cheque that for you. (Long pause) I recovered nan Coach Swinger handbag, but it’s presently disposable successful black. The bluish action isn’t showing up successful nan hunt results, which mightiness mean it’s retired of stock. Would you for illustration much specifications astir nan disposable options?

Me: No.

The Coach Swinger handbag successful bluish does show up connected nan merchandise page connected nan web, for what it’s worth; it’s listed arsenic “temporarily retired of stock.” The container is besides disposable successful some achromatic and red, but Alexa only mentioned nan achromatic action for immoderate reason. Not ace helpful.

And we’ll person to hold to spot if it ever goes connected sale.

Off to a slow start

With these first introductory tests, Alexa+ seems very overmuch for illustration a beta product. She’s trying but is prone to making mistakes and not being thorough. Sometimes, she doesn’t moreover look to perceive maine aliases doesn’t cognize what to do.

Given that galore of these are out-of-the-box features that don’t require integrations, you person to wonderment really good Alexa+ will do astatine navigating nan web and taking action for you.

In nan adjacent installment of this series, I’ll proceed testing nan AI and will effort immoderate of nan agentic AI features pinch Alexa+.