I owned lots of Alexa-powered gadgets in my former house: There have been Amazon Echos in most rooms, together with an older Echo Plus in the lounge, a smattering of Dots, a Spot in a bed room, and an Echo Present within the kitchen. A Fireplace TV ran within the bed room. And, in a drawer, a hardly ever used Fireplace HD pill sat gathering mud.
With the complete lack of the house resulting from a March 2024 home fireplace, there additionally got here a brand new alternative: We might now make a recent begin to create a extra modernized sensible house after rebuilding our home. However whether or not Alexa nonetheless deserves to be the middle of our related house stays to be seen.
To seek out out whether or not Alexa continues to be the very best sensible assistant for my household, I’m going to check Amazon’s AI-powered gadgets, experiment with AI queries, and write out my ideas in a multi-part collection. With this collection, I hope to supply customers insights as to how effectively Alexa works in numerous real-world conditions, not firm demos.
Alexa wanted to catch up
Amazon’s assistant, which as soon as gave its customers Star Trek vibes as they ordered their house pc to shut the blinds or flip off the lights or order milk, now not appears as revolutionary within the ChatGPT period. At present, individuals can have interaction with AI by way of textual content and voice chat. Fashionable AI chatbots and AI-powered providers can reply so many extra questions, are imaginative, can cause, can create photographs and artwork, and generate movies, and with the agentic AI, they will even carry out on-line duties in your behalf.
In February 2025, Amazon introduced an entire makeover of its digital voice assistant with the arrival of Alexa+, powered by generative AI. That service started rolling out slowly to prospects in March and is now obtainable to “many millions” of customers, Amazon says. The system can also be model-agnostic, that means Alexa+ can use no matter she wants within the second to reply the query or full the duty. Alexa+ is utilizing fashions from Anthropic and Amazon Nova, amongst others.
The corporate teased that this improved Alexa might do greater than set timers and alarms, management sensible house gadgets, and reply questions. She leverages generative AI to make sense of knowledge saved in Amazon customers’ accounts, perceive their schedules, and their preferences. She will be able to bear in mind issues, course of recordsdata, and summarize a Ring digital camera’s footage.
Notably, Amazon says it’s been working with companions to permit it to take actions for individuals, like reserving dinner reservations or Uber rides, or shopping for live performance tickets. Integrations with Amazon’s personal grocery service might even have it make procuring lists by chatting with it, after which have these merchandise delivered. Basically, it’s aiming to carry agentic AI into the house.
However earlier than we will get to that, let’s see how Alexa+ handles the fundamentals.
Within the first a part of this collection, I’m going to arrange Alexa+, use the app, and ask the assistant some questions that solely the brand new Alexa+ can do. Later, I’ll take a look at the agentic AI options and sensible house integrations.
Organising Alexa+ on an Echo Spot
System: Echo Spot
Default music service: Spotify (Premium)
Earlier than shifting to my new house, I put Alexa+ to the take a look at on a brand-new Echo Spot after being accepted into the beta. Since I couldn’t but hook up sensible house gadgets within the Airbnb that’s served as a brief residence for over a 12 months, I initially tried to check the machine’s AI in different methods.
Primarily, I needed to know if Alexa+ was actually all that sensible and helpful, and if she might do all of the issues Amazon promised.
Organising the Spot was simpler than it was with previous gadgets, as now you solely have to scan a QR code to get the method began within the Alexa app. The app related routinely to the house’s Wi-Fi; no extra bizarre toggling between the machine’s community and your personal Wi-Fi.
On the subsequent display screen, I accepted the invite to improve to the brand new Alexa+ totally free, figuring out that it’s nonetheless potential to downgrade to the outdated Alexa service at any time, if issues go fallacious.
Onboarding included a brief video that defined that Alexa would be taught extra as I exploit her, and instructed me on how you can speak to Alexa. I then related my Google account, giving Alexa entry to my inbox and calendar.
I ended up on a clean web page after doing so, oddly, however after closing the window, the display screen knowledgeable me that my “Account Linked.” (Disclosure: I’m working the iOS 26 developer beta on my iPhone, so perhaps that’s the issue?)
On the next display screen, I picked the providers I needed to make use of with Alexa+, which as we speak embrace OpenTable, Ticketmaster, Uber, and Thumbtack. I checked all of the containers, then moved to the next display screen to grant the required permissions, one after the other.
Whereas it’s a bit tedious to take action — and one thing that could possibly be much more tedious in time as extra providers are added — I did recognize that it felt like I used to be answerable for the information sharing and will see precisely what every service was requesting earlier than agreeing.
The next display screen confirmed that Fodor’s journey planning service was already built-in with Alexa+, but it surely didn’t require permissions. It additionally famous that providers like Uber Eats, Grubhub, and Vagaro can be added afterward.
The Alexa app itself continues to be sorely missing in person interface design. Regardless of many updates, the app nonetheless feels by some means each plain and too busy. It lacks coloration and conventional cell app navigation patterns, and it tries to cram too many examples of “things to do” on its house display screen.
In the meantime, making an attempt to find how you can do the required first steps — like linking my most popular music service — is buried within the interface. Nope, you don’t faucet in your profile icon, Settings, after which scroll all the way down to “Preferred service providers.” For some cause, that’s the place you set your most popular Information, Calendar, and Electronic mail suppliers, however not your most popular Music service.
As an alternative, you faucet on the hamburger menu on the backside of the display screen. You then faucet on the “Music & More” display screen. (What’s the “More”? Podcasts? Audiobooks?)
I set Spotify as my default music service, the default selection for artists and style stations, and the default for podcasts. There was no choice to set my default audiobooks service.
On this part, there was additionally an inventory of providers I had beforehand linked with Alexa. Right here, Amazon’s Audible — which I would like to set because the default for audiobooks — was listed alongside different streamers, like Pandora, Amazon Music, Apple Music, and others. However after I tapped on Audible, I merely acquired an error that claims “You’ve reached the end of Alexa’s knowledge. Just kidding. This skill no longer exists. Click here to go back.”
Uh, OK. I imply, wouldn’t it not make sense to simply take away the damaged factor that now not exists?
In any occasion, I’m right here to strive Alexa+, not yell at a poorly designed cell app.
I’ll work out audiobooks later, I suppose.
Notice for this collection:
In these exams, I’ll have shared private data with Alexa that I cannot be publishing. In these circumstances, I’ll put an outline of the merchandise — like “child’s school” — in [brackets]. I’ve additionally barely modified among the dates, instances, and numbers to additional obscure any private data that could possibly be used to develop an understanding of my accounts, conferences, or family routines.
Can Alexa+ handle the household’s schedule?
Busy households, particularly ones with youngsters, typically use a household calendar to trace actions, physician’s appointments, errands, conferences, courses, and extra. Our household calendar is maintained in Google Calendar, accessed on our telephones via the native Google Calendar app, and on Mac desktops by way of the calendar app Fantastical.
Amazon means that Alexa+ can assist summarize your day, add new occasions to your calendar, determine conflicts, and extra.
In observe, Alexa was pretty adept at letting me inquire in regards to the schedule and numerous occasions, however she interrupted me after I was asking so as to add a brand new assembly to my calendar. I mentioned, “Can you add a meeting to my calendar on August 6 at 2 p.m. with [entity] about—” Right here she lower me off to ask, “What would you like to title this meeting?”
Annoying, however not end-of-the-world horrible, I suppose.
I used to be extra simply capable of ask issues like “What’s on my calendar today?” and observe as much as ask additional questions — like if there have been any conferences later within the week or to repeat one of many appointments. I didn’t should say “Alexa” once more to proceed the dialog. It felt extra pure, however there’s a really slight lag together with her responses at instances.
(As an apart, after I went to seek out the historical past of my voice chats for scripting this put up, I requested Alexa the place they could possibly be discovered. She instructed me to look within the app’s Settings beneath the Extra menu, then search for Alexa Privateness or Overview Voice Historical past. She’s fallacious. Neither possibility was there. I did, nevertheless, discover my historical past from the “Recent Chats” hyperlink on the app’s house display screen. Alexa, c’mon! Know thyself.)
Alexa, bear in mind this
One other factor Alexa+ is meant to have the ability to do is retailer data in your behalf. To check this out, I requested her to recollect my frequent flier quantity. This interplay went poorly.
Me: Alexa, are you able to bear in mind my Delta SkyMiles quantity?
Alexa: Certain, I’d be pleased to recollect your Delta SkyMiles quantity for you. What’s the quantity?
Me: *opens mouth to talk*
Alexa: I’ve added that to Bear in mind This within the Alexa privateness part of the app. Additionally, take into account that anybody who has entry to any of your Alexa gadgets can use their voice to listen to its contents.
Um, what? I attempted once more.
Me: Alexa, are you able to bear in mind my SkyMiles quantity?
Alexa: Actually! I’d be pleased to recollect your SkyMiles quantity for you. What’s the quantity? OK, saved it.
She didn’t even take a breath!
Curious, I requested her what she thinks the quantity is. She responded, “I don’t have your SkyMiles number saved yet. Would you like to tell me your number now?”
Me: Sure.
Alexa: OK, go forward and inform me your Delta SkyMiles quantity.
Me: [says the eight-digit number]
Alexa: OK, saved it.
Me: What’s my SkyMiles quantity?
Alexa: “Six hundred fifty-two million, four hundred eighty-six thousand…”
(Notice: I modified the quantity for the aim of this put up, however sure, Alexa learn it out like a protracted numeral as an alternative of simply saying 6-5-2-4-8-6, and so forth. Not useful!)
Alexa, learn my electronic mail
Alexa+ can now supposedly perceive paperwork you add within the Alexa app or ahead to her at [email protected] utilizing the e-mail handle related together with your Amazon account.
To do this, I forwarded an electronic mail from my baby’s college. These come steadily and have lots of helpful data in them, however are sometimes misplaced within the inbox. Maybe if Alexa can deal with this job, a brand new Gmail forwarding filter is so as?
Me: Alexa, summarize the current electronic mail from college.
Alexa: The current electronic mail from [my child’s school] is a welcome-back letter for the 2025-2026 college 12 months. It pronounces an “Early Start Day” orientation on August [date] for brand new college students, with an data session for brand new mother and father that night. Common courses start on August [date].
Me: Was there any data particularly for [grade] in that electronic mail?
Alexa: I don’t see any data particularly for [grade] in that electronic mail. The letter primarily covers common college data, orientation dates, and essential deadlines for all college students.
Nice, that labored, it appears. However right here’s the place issues acquired a bit of trickier.
Me: Are there any essential dates I ought to add to my calendar?
Alexa: *repeats the essential dates from above*
Me: Are you able to add these to my calendar for me?
Alexa: (Which will need to have misheard me?) Checking your calendar. Sarah, your calendar is wanting busy. You have got [activity] ongoing till August sixteenth, you could have [activity]. On Thursday—
Me: (interrupting) I used to be asking in case you might add the dates within the electronic mail to my calendar for me?
Alexa: Actually, I’ll do this. (Pause) I’ve added the next dates to your calendar:
- Course Correction Request Interval from August [date] via August [date]
- New Scholar Orientation Early Begin Day on August [date, time]
- First Day of College on August [date]
Is there anything you’d like me so as to add?
Whereas this course of appears environment friendly and is definitely useful in a pinch, you’ll discover I left it as much as Alexa to find out which dates had been “important.” Consequently, she picked the three dates closest to as we speak. The e-mail itself, nevertheless, contained an inventory of 12 essential college dates, together with issues like Meet the Trainer Evening, Open Home, Midyear Commencement, and extra.
All of them had been formatted the identical manner within the electronic mail beneath the heading “Important Dates.” Had I solely relied on Alexa and had not learn the e-mail itself, I’d have missed these.
Oh, expensive.
Alexa, assist me get monetary savings
One other Alexa+ promise is that she can assist you observe costs on Amazon so it can save you cash when issues go on sale. All proper, I’ll chunk! I like on-line procuring.
I made a decision to strive monitoring a few issues, together with one skincare merchandise and a Coach purse. These are issues I undoubtedly don’t want, however need — the sorts of issues the place a reduction might immediate a purchase order.
Me: Alexa, I need to know when the Glow Recipe Plum Plumping and Hydrating Hyaluronic Acid Pores and skin Care Serum goes on sale.
Alexa: Only a second … I’ve arrange a deal tracker for the Glow Recipe Plum Plumping Serum. I’ll notify you when it goes on sale.
Me: How a lot is it proper now?
Alexa: *silence*
Me: Did you hear me?
Alexa: Checking on that. Sure, I heard you. I’ve already arrange a deal tracker for the Glow Recipe Plum Plumping Serum. You’ll get a notification when it goes on sale.
Me: How a lot is it now?
Alexa: *Extra silence.*
OK, I suppose we’ll wait on that one.
Subsequent up, I attempted the purse.
Me: Alexa, I need to know when the Coach Swinger purse goes on sale.
Alexa: Actually, I’ll examine that. Bought it! I arrange a deal tracker for the Coach Swinger purse. I’ll let you understand when it goes on sale.
Me: Is it out of inventory in blue?
Alexa: *Silence*
Me: Is the Coach purse I simply requested you about out of inventory in blue? (Notice: It was, per Amazon’s web site on the time of the request.)
Alexa: Let me examine that for you. (Lengthy pause) I discovered the Coach Swinger purse, but it surely’s presently obtainable in black. The blue possibility isn’t exhibiting up within the search outcomes, which could imply it’s out of inventory. Would you want extra particulars in regards to the obtainable choices?
Me: No.
The Coach Swinger purse in blue does present up on the product web page on the net, for what it’s price; it’s listed as “temporarily out of stock.” The bag can also be obtainable in each black and crimson, however Alexa solely talked about the black possibility for some cause. Not tremendous useful.
And we’ll have to attend to see if it ever goes on sale.
Off to a gradual begin
With these first introductory exams, Alexa+ appears very very like a beta product. She’s making an attempt however is susceptible to creating errors and never being thorough. Generally, she doesn’t even appear to listen to me or doesn’t know what to do.
On condition that many of those are out-of-the-box options that don’t require integrations, you must surprise how effectively Alexa+ will do at navigating the online and taking motion for you.
Within the subsequent installment of this collection, I’ll proceed testing the AI and can strive among the agentic AI options with Alexa+.
