I’ve finally had the chance to test out the new Alexa Plus after waiting for two years. This generative AI-powered assistant feels like a big step up. In just 24 hours of using it, I’ve noticed it’s much smarter and responds more naturally to my voice.
Alexa Plus engages in conversations much better. If I mumble or change my mind mid-sentence, it adapts without missing a beat. No more frustrating “I’m not sure about that” replies—it feels almost miraculous.
But it’s not perfect. Amazon has faced challenges with this upgrade, including delays. Alexa Plus is still in “Early Access,” meaning it’s a beta product. Amazon claims it is now in “many millions” of homes, suggesting it’s on the right track, but there’s still room for improvement.
One major change I noticed was during my first cooking experiment. I asked Alexa for a salmon taco recipe, and instead of just reading off a list, it displayed detailed steps in a chat-like format on my Echo Show. This made it much easier to follow along, and I could ask for specific details as I cooked. However, it did stumble a bit—at one point, it couldn’t find the amount of sour cream required.
The next morning, I wanted my coffee. Normally, saying “make me coffee” triggers a routine I set up, but this time, Alexa didn’t understand. I had to rephrase it to make it work. This highlights some ongoing confusion between its old command-and-control style and its new AI ability. In comparison, most other voice assistants are also working through similar growing pains.
Later, I shifted topics, asking about Wimbledon while I had my breakfast. Alexa provided some updates about the tournament and even helped me start streaming it, although I had to find the channel myself.
On another note, when I asked for day trip ideas for our upcoming camping trip, Alexa suggested a few options, including Ripley’s Aquarium. I was excited! However, it misled me about the price of Dollywood tickets, which turned out to be higher than it mentioned. This is a common issue with AI that can significantly disappoint users. When a chatbot gives incorrect info, it’s easier to brush off than when a voice in your home confidently states something wrong.
As I attempted to set up a smart home routine later in the day, I found that communicating my needs directly to Alexa was much easier than before. I created a routine just by talking, something I had struggled to do through the app in the past. The ability to control multiple devices with one request felt particularly seamless.
While there’s still a lot to explore, I’ve noticed some interesting shifts in how my family communicates with Alexa. My kids, who have grown up with the assistant, reacted to its new conversational style with surprise. Adjusting to a more personality-driven AI could take some time.
The improvement in user experience is promising. As we embrace these tech advancements, we’ll see how they fit into our daily lives. More personality in AI can be exciting, but it’s also essential to ensure it works efficiently—especially for our smart homes.
In the end, while Alexa Plus shows great potential, some challenges remain. But watching this technology evolve is definitely an exciting journey.
For more insights into AI technology, you can follow trusted sources, like TechCrunch or Wired.
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