Alexa+ Launches with Generative AI but Faces Functionality Challenges

Amazon is pushing the boundaries of smart home integration with Alexa+, a major upgrade to its digital assistant powered by Generative AI. The enhanced assistant, which began rolling out in March 2025, aims to transform Alexa into a more versatile and autonomous household helper, leveraging models from Anthropic and Amazon Nova [1]. The updated version promises to go beyond basic commands, offering functionalities such as understanding user preferences, summarizing Ring camera footage, and handling tasks like booking reservations or ordering groceries [1].

In a real-world trial, the setup process for Alexa+ proved smoother than previous iterations, with users able to connect a new Echo Spot device via a QR code in the Alexa app [1]. However, the app itself remains a point of frustration, with users reporting a cluttered interface and buried settings. For instance, linking a preferred music service required navigating through multiple menus, and some features, such as setting Audible as the default for audiobooks, resulted in errors [1].

Alexa+ also promises to streamline family schedules by summarizing calendars, identifying conflicts, and adding events. In practice, the assistant showed potential in managing daily routines, though it occasionally disrupted conversations by asking for meeting titles mid-sentence [1]. While it could answer questions like “What’s on my calendar today?” effectively, its self-awareness of its app’s layout was inconsistent [1].

One of the assistant’s most touted features is its ability to store user information. However, during testing, Alexa+ struggled to correctly register and recall a frequent flier number. It either interrupted users before they could finish speaking the number or failed to save it altogether. When it did attempt to recall the number, it read it as a long numeral instead of individual digits, rendering the information unusable [1].

The assistant also claimed to understand and summarize documents, including emails. In one test, it successfully summarized a school welcome-back letter, identifying key dates and general information. However, when asked to add important dates to the calendar, it misheard and listed existing events before adding only three of the 12 relevant dates [1]. This demonstrated a lack of thoroughness in identifying all necessary information.

Alexa+ also aims to help users save money by tracking prices on Amazon. During testing, users set up deal trackers for two items—a skincare serum and a handbag. While the feature worked in setting up the trackers, Alexa failed to provide immediate price updates for the serum and only partially identified the availability of the handbag, missing other color options [1]. These inconsistencies highlight the need for refinement in the assistant’s ability to retrieve and present accurate product information.

Overall, while Alexa+ demonstrates promising capabilities, particularly in conversational follow-ups and document summarization, it remains in a beta-like state. Users encountered frequent errors, omissions, and delays, especially in basic functions like remembering numbers or retrieving product prices. The Alexa app’s design further complicates the user experience [1]. For Alexa+ to truly revolutionize smart home interactions, it must demonstrate greater reliability and consistency in performing web-based actions on behalf of users [1].

Source: [1] Alexa+ AI Assistant: A Promising Yet Challenging Smart Home Upgrade (https://coinmarketcap.com/community/articles/6893a2a2f9dc4a490827e246/)