The recently announced Alexa Plus marks a significant upgrade in voice assistant technology, introducing more conversational capabilities and natural language processing. With eight new voices and a range of new features, Alexa Plus aims to make smart home integration more intuitive. Key improvements include the ability to understand complex, casual commands without requiring specific device names, such as “turn on the lamp in the sitting area.” The assistant can also follow multiple commands without prompting for the wake word, streamlining user interaction.
During a press event in New York, demos showcased new features such as voice-activated smart home routines, improved Smart Home UI for devices, and enhanced interaction with the Echo Show, which now features a more organized and customizable interface. Users can send images and notes to their email through Alexa, which can help manage calendars and reminders.
Alexa Plus expands its functionality into cooking, allowing users to follow recipes more easily by managing timers and adding ingredients to shopping lists using natural language. Improvements in the integration with smart kitchen appliances enhance usability.
Pricing for Alexa Plus is set at $19.99 per month, and it is available for Amazon Prime members. The service will be accessible through various Echo devices and the new Alexa app, indicating a commitment to integrating voice control into different aspects of daily life. Overall, if the new features perform as demonstrated, Alexa Plus represents a major advancement in smart home automation.
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