Alexa Plus Launches Early Access for All Users

Alexa Plus has been making waves online for some users earlier this month, and now it’s officially accessible to everyone through an early access program. You can head over to Alexa.com to sign up and dive into the new web interface for Amazon’s AI chatbot.

Previously, Alexa Plus was available on all new Echo devices and has recently been rolled out as an update for older models. However, some tasks are simply more convenient to handle with a keyboard and mouse rather than voice commands. Now, you can access Alexa while at your laptop to update your to-do list or make reservations at that new Puerto Rican restaurant that just opened.

One of the standout features is the ability to upload documents, emails, and even images to Alexa Plus via the website, allowing it to extract key information. Recipes can transform into shopping lists, vet bills and vaccination records can be organized, and kids’ little league schedules can be automatically added to your calendar.

Amazon is also highlighting its extensive integrations, such as generating meal plans and automatically populating an Amazon Fresh or Whole Foods cart with your groceries, all while adhering to your dietary preferences. Plus, you can control your smart home devices like lights, locks, and doorbell cameras right alongside your chat with Alexa. While Google Gemini is expected to offer similar smart home capabilities, my experience suggests they may not be as reliable.

So far, our experience with Alexa Plus has been a bit hit or miss. While it’s great to see Amazon backing its latest AI assistant, it’s wise to double-check its work before trusting that it’s filled your cart with strictly vegan options.

Additionally, Alexa Plus is rolling out entertainment features designed to help you spend less time mindlessly scrolling through Prime Video. However, simply watching whatever Alexa recommends on your Fire TV is the kind of passive viewing many are trying to avoid.

Amazon is also introducing a sidebar to keep your favorite Alexa features just a click away, eliminating the need to switch windows when you want to adjust your thermostat. Plus, a newly redesigned Alexa mobile app is on the way.