Amazon is gearing up for an exciting in-person event in New York on February 26, where it is expected to unveil a major AI-powered upgrade for its voice assistant, Alexa. This new version of Alexa is anticipated to feature generative artificial intelligence capabilities, enhancing its conversational abilities and enabling it to handle more complex tasks.
What to Expect at the Amazon Event
AI-Powered Alexa
The new version of Alexa is expected to engage in more natural conversations with users, thanks to improved contextual awareness. Leveraging AI, Alexa may also gain the ability to handle multiple prompts in sequence, allowing it to perform multi-step tasks. Additionally, Alexa could get agentic AI capabilities, enabling automation of repetitive tasks with minimal user intervention.
Subscription for Alexa
Earlier this month, Reuters reported that Amazon plans to roll out the AI-powered Alexa to a limited number of users for testing. While the initial version is expected to be free, the company is reportedly considering a monthly subscription fee of $5 to $10. Amazon is also expected to continue offering the existing version of Alexa, calling it “Classic Alexa,” at no additional cost. However, it is unlikely that new features will be added to the classic version.
New Echo Devices
The AI-enhanced Alexa is expected to support select previous-generation Echo devices, but Amazon may introduce new Echo and Echo Dot models with dedicated AI hardware. The company could also bundle a free subscription to AI-powered Alexa with these new devices, similar to how Google offers its Gemini Advanced subscription with Pixel devices.
Fire TV Upgrade
While Amazon is not expected to announce new Fire TV hardware at the event, some software enhancements could be introduced. These updates may include AI-powered features for the Fire TV platform, though details remain limited.
This event promises to be a significant milestone for Amazon, as it continues to innovate and enhance its smart home ecosystem. Stay tuned for more updates as the event unfolds! 📅🔊