TL;DR
At CES, Amazon said nearly all of its devices sold to date are capable of running Alexa+, its next-generation AI assistant. The company is rolling out upgrades to millions of users but has not provided a firm date for full public availability.
What happened
At the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Amazon’s Alexa and Echo VP Daniel Rausch said about 97% of the gadgets the company has ever shipped are capable of supporting Alexa+, reflecting a device base of more than 600 million units sold. Alexa+—announced last year—adds more expressive voices, broader access to world knowledge, and AI agents that can carry out tasks for users, such as arranging rides or placing orders. Amazon reported that over one million customers had access to Alexa+ by June of last year, and that "tens of millions" of users can now opt in to the upgraded assistant. The company is prioritizing Prime members for broader access and has not given a specific date for when Alexa+ will reach all users. Amazon also highlighted recent moves such as web access to Alexa, a redesigned app with a chatbot-style interface, third-party integrations at CES, and its acquisition of wearable startup Bee.
Why it matters
- A very large installed base could speed adoption if device compatibility translates into upgrades.
- Alexa+ aims to combine voice interaction with task-performing AI agents, changing how consumers use assistants at home.
- Partner integrations and app/web access broaden where Alexa can appear beyond Echo devices.
- Amazon faces competition from other major players tying AI to their platforms, making adoption and engagement the next hurdle.
Key facts
- Amazon says 97% of devices it has ever shipped can support Alexa+.
- Company reports selling more than 600 million devices overall.
- Alexa+ introduces more expressive voices, expanded world knowledge, and task-performing AI agents.
- Over 1 million customers had access to Alexa+ by June of last year.
- "Tens of millions" of users can now opt in to upgrade to Alexa+.
- Amazon is prioritizing rollout to Prime members; no firm general-availability date provided.
- At CES, partners including Samsung, BMW, and Oura demonstrated Alexa integrations.
- Amazon announced web access to Alexa and a redesigned Alexa app with a chatbot-style interface.
- Amazon recently acquired Bee, a wearable AI that records conversations and supports text and voice engagement.
What to watch next
- Timeline for general availability of Alexa+ beyond Prime members: not confirmed in the source.
- User adoption and engagement metrics for Alexa+ following wider rollout.
- Details and timetable for deeper integration between Alexa and Bee: not confirmed in the source.
Quick glossary
- Alexa+: Amazon’s next-generation AI assistant platform that adds more expressive voices, world-knowledge access, and AI agents that can perform tasks for users.
- AI agent: A software component that can carry out tasks on behalf of a user, such as making bookings or sending messages.
- Ambient interface: User interaction that is continuously available in the background, often via voice or always-on devices in a home or environment.
- Opt in: The act of a user choosing to enable or upgrade to a new feature or service rather than being automatically enrolled.
Reader FAQ
How many devices can run Alexa+?
Amazon says about 97% of the devices it has ever shipped can support Alexa+.
When will Alexa+ be available to everyone?
Not confirmed in the source.
How many people already have access to Alexa+?
More than 1 million had access by last June, and Amazon says "tens of millions" can now opt in.
What is Bee and how does it relate to Alexa?
Bee is an AI wearable Amazon acquired that records conversations and supports text and voice engagement; deeper integration with Alexa is planned but timing is not confirmed.
Amazon offered a bit more insight into how it sees its AI platform competing in the real world at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas last week. Namely, Amazon…
Sources
- Amazon says 97% of its devices can support Alexa+
- Talk to Alexa in your browser with new AI assistant …
- Daily TEA – Alexa, AI Habits & Factory Tours
- Echo Hub
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