FILE-In this photo illustration, the virtual assistant technology owned by Amazon, Alexa, logo is seen displayed on a smartphone with an Artificial Intelligence (AI) chip and symbol in the background. (Photo Illustration by Budrul Chukrut/SOPA Images …
Amazon is launching an update to Alexa with capabilities allowing consumers to order groceries.
How does Alexa+ work?
Big picture view:
The Alexa+ feature will work with Amazon Fresh and other grocery partners collaborating with Amazon, the company tells Tech Crunch. Uber Eats is also available through this service.
Users won’t be limited to just jotting down ingredients they need by voice, but Alexa + can assist them with composing a shopping list.
RELATED: Amazon unveils AI-powered Alexa+ with humanlike chat for $19.99 a month
When and where Alexa+ will be available
What's next:
Amazon is going to roll out Alexa+ in the U.S. in March. Initially, access will be limited to users with newer Echo Show devices, which have screens to display Alexa responses. Over time, Alexa+ will expand internationally and become available on more devices.
Some older Echo models will not support Alexa+, but users can continue using the original version of Alexa if they choose.
Do I have to pay for Alexa+?
Local perspective:
Amazon is offering Alexa+ for $19.99 per month, but Amazon Prime members can access it for free as part of their $139 annual membership.
Amazon has faced challenges transforming Alexa into a big shopping device, with most users relying on the assistant for basic tasks like playing music, checking the weather, and setting reminders.
Amazon is also trying to stay competitive in the AI assistant space as their counterparts OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Google’s Gemini have used consumer AI applications. Amazon also wants to counter the skyrocketing costs of AI development and improve the profitability of its smart device division.
The Source: Information for this story was provided by Tech Crunch, which received comments from Amazon, previous LIVENOW from FOX reporting, and the Associated Press. This story was reported from Washington, D.C.