Amazon plans to release an upgraded version of Alexa in mid-October amid heightened competition from AI-driven voice assistants developed by rivals like Google and Microsoft. At around $10 per month, the new Alexa will read AI-generated news summaries, assist with daily tasks such as planning and preparing food, ping users when a new deal is available on Amazon, and have a friendly conversation with younger users.
As reported by The Washington Post based on the company’s internal documents, the upcoming update, originally slated for release in September but now postponed, is anticipated to bring several innovative features to improve users’ interaction with and benefit from the device.
One of the key additions is a ‘Smart Briefing’ feature that utilises artificial intelligence to create personalised news summaries. This feature will offer daily briefings on current events tailored to users’ interests and preferences.
By incorporating this capability, the device could become an indispensable resource for users seeking to stay up-to-date with the latest news.
However, this enhanced Alexa experience won’t come without a cost. The documents reveal that access to these new features will require a paid subscription, priced at around $10 per month. Despite this, the original or ‘classic’ version of Alexa will remain free for users who prefer not to pay for the new capabilities.
The company believes that the new AI-driven features, designed to assist users in exploring and summarising current events, will enhance daily engagement and foster user loyalty.
Amazon’s new Alexa is designed to be more conversational and personalised. It recognises individual voices and adapts to users’ preferences over time. According to the documents, the company sees this personalised interaction as a key factor in making the assistant more “likeable” and useful.
In addition to providing news updates, the new Alexa will assist with various daily tasks, including meal planning and shopping. The documents highlight that food-related assistance is one of the top areas where users want more help from AI, indicating a strategic focus on everyday convenience.
The internal documents seen by The Post also mention Project Metis, a web-based tool Amazon is developing to compete directly with AI models like ChatGPT. While Amazon has yet to release a general-purpose AI chatbot, this project signals the company’s intent to stake its claim in the increasingly competitive AI landscape.
The company is also looking to boost its e-commerce platform. The updated Alexa will offer enhanced online shopping capabilities, including providing in-depth information about products and alert users to special offers.
One anticipated feature is designed to monitor prices on items of interest to users and notify them when discounts are available.
Another notable aspect of the Alexa update is its focus on younger users. A new feature, Explore with Alexa 2.0, will allow children to have interactive, moderated conversations with the assistant on a variety of topics.
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