I owned plenty of Alexa-powered gadgets in my former dwelling: 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 Hearth TV ran within the bed room. And, in a drawer, a not often used Hearth HD pill sat gathering mud.
With the total loss of the home due to a March 2024 house fire, there additionally got here a brand new alternative: We may now make a recent begin to create a extra modernized good dwelling after rebuilding our home. However whether or not Alexa nonetheless deserves to be the middle of our linked dwelling stays to be seen.
To search out out whether or not Alexa continues to be the very best good 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 sequence. With this sequence, I hope to supply shoppers insights as to how nicely Alexa works in varied 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 dwelling pc to shut the blinds or flip off the lights or order milk, not appears as revolutionary within the ChatGPT period. As we speak, individuals can have interaction with AI by way of textual content and voice chat. Trendy AI chatbots and AI-powered providers can reply so many extra questions, are imaginative, can motive, can create photographs and artwork, and generate movies, and with the agentic AI, they’ll even carry out on-line duties in your behalf.
In February 2025, Amazon announced a complete 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 hundreds of thousands” of customers, Amazon says. The system can also be model-agnostic, which 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 may do greater than set timers and alarms, management good dwelling gadgets, and reply questions. She leverages generative AI to make sense of data saved in Amazon customers’ accounts, perceive their schedules, and their preferences. She will 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 may even have it make procuring lists by chatting with it, after which have these merchandise delivered. Primarily, it’s aiming to carry agentic AI into the house.
However earlier than we are able to get to that, let’s see how Alexa+ handles the fundamentals.
Within the first a part of this sequence, 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 good dwelling integrations.
Organising Alexa+ on an Echo Spot
Gadget: Echo Spot
Default music service: Spotify (Premium)
Earlier than shifting to my new dwelling, 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 good dwelling gadgets within the Airbnb that’s served as a brief residence for over a yr, I initially tried to check the gadget’s AI in different methods.
Primarily, I needed to know if Alexa+ was actually all that good and helpful, and if she may 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 linked routinely to the house’s Wi-Fi; no extra bizarre toggling between the gadget’s community and your individual Wi-Fi.
On the subsequent display screen, I accepted the invite to improve to the brand new Alexa+ free of charge, understanding that it’s nonetheless doable to downgrade to the previous Alexa service at any time, if issues go mistaken.
Onboarding included a brief video that defined that Alexa would study extra as I take advantage of her, and instructed me on learn how to speak to Alexa. I then linked 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 at the moment embody 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 might be much more tedious in time as extra providers are added — I did respect that it felt like I used to be answerable for the info 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+, however it didn’t require permissions. It additionally famous that providers like Uber Eats, Grubhub, and Vagaro can be added in a while.
The Alexa app itself continues to be sorely missing in consumer interface design. Regardless of many updates, the app nonetheless feels by some means each plain and too busy. It lacks shade and conventional cell app navigation patterns, and it tries to cram too many examples of “issues to do” on its dwelling display screen.
In the meantime, attempting to find learn how to 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 right down to “Most popular service suppliers.” For some motive, that’s the place you set your most popular Information, Calendar, and E-mail suppliers, however not your most popular Music service.
As a substitute, you faucet on the hamburger menu on the backside of the display screen. You then faucet on the “Music & Extra” display screen. (What’s the “Extra”? 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 favor to set because the default for audiobooks — was listed alongside different streamers, like Pandora, Amazon Music, Apple Music, and others. However once I tapped on Audible, I merely bought an error that claims “You’ve reached the top of Alexa’s information. Simply kidding. This talent not exists. Click on right here to return.”
Uh, OK. I imply, would it not not make sense to only take away the damaged factor that not exists?
In any occasion, I’m right here to attempt Alexa+, not yell at a poorly designed cell app.
I’ll determine audiobooks later, I assume.
Notice for this sequence:
In these exams, I’ll have shared private data with Alexa that I cannot be publishing. In these instances, I’ll put an outline of the merchandise — like “baby’s faculty” — in [brackets]. I’ve additionally barely modified a number of the dates, instances, and numbers to additional obscure any private data that might 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 by way of the native Google Calendar app, and on Mac desktops by way of the calendar app Fantastical.
Amazon means that Alexa+ will help summarize your day, add new occasions to your calendar, determine conflicts, and extra.
In observe, Alexa was pretty adept at letting me inquire concerning the schedule and varied occasions, however she interrupted me once I was asking so as to add a brand new assembly to my calendar. I mentioned, “Are you able to add a gathering to my calendar on August 6 at 2 p.m. with [entity] about—” Right here she minimize me off to ask, “What would you wish to title this assembly?”
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 at the moment?” and comply with 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 along with her responses at instances.
(As an apart, once I went to seek out the historical past of my voice chats for penning this put up, I requested Alexa the place they might be discovered. She instructed me to look within the app’s Settings below the Extra menu, then search for Alexa Privateness or Overview Voice Historical past. She’s mistaken. Neither possibility was there. I did, nevertheless, discover my historical past from the “Current Chats” hyperlink on the app’s dwelling 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: Positive, I’d be completely happy 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 completely happy 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 quantity saved but. Would you want to inform me your quantity 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: “600 fifty-two million, 4 hundred eighty-six thousand…”
(Notice: I modified the quantity for the aim of this put up, however sure, Alexa learn it out like an extended numeral as a substitute of simply saying 6-5-2-4-8-6, and many others. Not useful!)
Alexa, learn my e mail
Alexa+ can now supposedly perceive paperwork you add within the Alexa app or ahead to her at alexa@alexa.com utilizing the e-mail tackle related along with your Amazon account.
To do that, I forwarded an e mail from my baby’s faculty. These come often and have plenty 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 e mail from faculty.
Alexa: The current e mail from [my child’s school] is a welcome-back letter for the 2025-2026 faculty yr. It declares an “Early Begin Day” orientation on August [date] for brand spanking new college students, with an data session for brand spanking new mother and father that night. Common courses start on August [date].
Me: Was there any data particularly for [grade] in that e mail?
Alexa: I don’t see any data particularly for [grade] in that e mail. The letter primarily covers common faculty data, orientation dates, and vital deadlines for all college students.
Nice, that labored, it appears. However right here’s the place issues bought just a little trickier.
Me: Are there any vital dates I ought to add to my calendar?
Alexa: *repeats the vital dates from above*
Me: Are you able to add these to my calendar for me?
Alexa: (Which should have misheard me?) Checking your calendar. Sarah, your calendar is wanting busy. You’ve gotten [activity] ongoing till August sixteenth, you may have [activity]. On Thursday—
Me: (interrupting) I used to be asking if you happen to may add the dates within the e 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] by way of August [date]
- New Pupil Orientation Early Begin Day on August [date, time]
- First Day of Faculty 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 “vital.” Consequently, she picked the three dates closest to at the moment. The e-mail itself, nevertheless, contained an inventory of 12 vital faculty dates, together with issues like Meet the Instructor Night time, Open Home, Midyear Commencement, and extra.
All of them had been formatted the identical manner within the e mail below the heading “Necessary Dates.” Had I solely relied on Alexa and had not learn the e-mail itself, I might have missed these.
Oh, pricey.
Alexa, assist me get monetary savings
One other Alexa+ promise is that she will help you monitor 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 attempt 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 may 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 assume 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 verify that. Bought it! I arrange a deal tracker for the Coach Swinger purse. I’ll let you already know 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 verify that for you. (Lengthy pause) I discovered the Coach Swinger purse, however it’s at present 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 concerning 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 “briefly out of inventory.” The bag can also be obtainable in each black and pink, however Alexa solely talked about the black possibility for some motive. 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 attempting 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, it’s a must to surprise how nicely Alexa+ will do at navigating the online and taking motion for you.
Within the subsequent installment of this sequence, I’ll proceed testing the AI and can attempt a number of the agentic AI options with Alexa+.