Amazon is set to launch its new AI-enabled assistant, Alexa+, this coming Monday. However, not all the highly anticipated features showcased at a recent event are ready for immediate use. According to internal company documents reviewed by The Washington Post, some functionalities will be gradually rolled out over the coming months, leaving many Alexa users waiting for access to these enhancements.
During the February event held in New York, Amazon’s head of devices, Panos Panay, announced that Alexa+ would “start to roll out” in March, progressing in waves over the following months. Notably, features that are experiencing delays include the ability to order takeout from Grubhub based on user conversations with Alexa+ and the capability for Alexa+ to visually identify family members and remind them of specific chores, such as walking the dog.
Other features, like generating story ideas for children or brainstorming gift suggestions, will also not be available at launch and will be introduced later, according to the same internal documents. Starting Monday, users can expect Alexa+ to facilitate ordering an Uber or provide cooking advice, but these capabilities will initially be limited to owners of specific Alexa devices.
Only customers with newer models of the Echo Show will be able to access the initial features of Alexa+. Owners of older devices, such as the Fire TV and Echo Spot alarm clock, will need to wait for broader access. Additionally, while Amazon has promoted the availability of Alexa+ for chatting on the web at Alexa.com, this feature, internally referred to as “Metis,” will not be available at launch.
One of the notable features launching on Monday will be the ability for Alexa+ to read and summarize uploaded documents, including instruction manuals and legal contracts. However, users should be aware of a limitation: if they try to delete any uploaded files, they will receive an error message indicating that “deletion of attachments is not yet supported.” According to internal communications, Amazon staff can assist users in removing files but must inform them that this process does not erase all associated data.
The delayed launch of some features highlights the challenges tech companies face in updating legacy virtual assistants to compete in the current landscape dominated by generative AI technologies, such as ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini. With millions of users, Amazon is not alone in exercising caution with its product rollout. Recently, Apple also postponed its AI update for the Siri assistant, citing similar challenges.
After a year and a half since Amazon first previewed the AI-enhanced Alexa, customers can finally access the new product, which is priced at $19.99 per month. However, it will be free for Prime subscribers, who pay $14.99 per month. To lead the effort, Amazon recently appointed Panay, who previously worked at Microsoft, to oversee its devices division following the departure of former head Dave Limp.
At the Alexa+ launch event, Panay likened the new features to a musical performance, stating, “The new Alexa knows almost every instrument in your life: your schedule, your smart home, your preferences, the devices you’re using, the people you’re connected to, the entertainment you love and use, many of the apps you use, a lot of the services you need, and brings them together into what is an incredible symphony.”
