Alexa has just got a LOT smarter - here's what she can now do (aff)
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Amazon’s Alexa+ upgrade brings powerful AI to millions of devices with smarter conversations and new features rolling out now
Amazon has officially launched its next-generation AI assistant, Alexa+, and it’s being billed as the biggest upgrade to Alexa since the original Echo devices first landed in UK homes.
The new version is powered by generative AI, putting it in direct competition with tools like ChatGPT and Google Gemini – but it's going to be built into the devices millions of people already own, free of charge.
The new Alexa+ system, which is being rolled out today, is designed to hold natural conversations, understand context and carry out complex, multi-step tasks on your behalf.
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That means you can ask it to plan a night out, book a restaurant, control your smart home and even shop online, all in one flowing conversation rather than a series of rigid commands.
Alexa+ can build a picture of your preferences over time, adapting responses to your habits, routines and even the way you speak, something Amazon hopes will make it feel more like a personal assistant than a voice-controlled gadget.
Users can choose different “personality styles” – including a cheeky “Sassy” mode that adds humour and sarcasm.
Smart speakers are the cheapest, but smart displays are on offer at the moment
Amazon's smart speakers start at £54.99 with the Echo Dot
Amazon's smart displays start at £65.99 with the Echo Show 5 (currently 28% off)
The best smart speaker is the £219.99 Echo Studio
The best smart display is the wall-mounted Echo Show 21 at £399
Alexa+ is currently rolling out internationally after its US debut, with early access available on selected devices. It’s expected to be free initially, but could later cost around £19.99 per month – or be bundled in with Amazon Prime.
Amazon says customers who purchase a new eligible Echo device in the UK will be granted Early Access, and customers who already have a compatible device can register here to receive an invite.
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Love books but struggle to find time to sit down and read? Amazon Audible is currently offering a 30-day free trial that could be the perfect way to work through that ever-growing reading list.
The Audible Standard plan includes one audiobook from a catalogue of more than 900,000 titles, plus unlimited access to a wide selection of podcasts and audio series. Popular titles currently available include Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir, London Falling by Patrick Keeffe and Enough by Dawn French.
The free trial lasts for 30 days. After that, the Standard membership renews at £5.99 per month unless cancelled. Audible Premium Plus is also available for listeners who want monthly credits and access to an even larger collection of audiobooks and podcasts.