Early Access Alexa+: I tested Amazon's AI assistant. Here's why it's a game-changer

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Early Access Alexa+: I tested Amazon's AI assistant. Here's why it's a game-changer
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After Amazon's New York City reveal of the new AI-infused Alexa a few months back, I made you wait to read my take on the news. Before I finished writing, you see, I filled out the form to request Early Access to Alexa+. It didn't take long. But I still felt kind of bad about it.
Not anymore, though, because for the past two months, I've been kicking the tires on Alexa+ as part of that program. And now you can read about it!
Early access to Early Access
Keep in mind, Amazon isn't offering Early Access to publications because Alexa+ isn't a finished product. The Alexa+ Early Access program is as much a beta-testing round for Amazon as it is an exclusive opportunity for some customers to get an early look at the service.
That said, when you onboard 'hundreds of thousands' of US customers – as Amazon says it has since the program launched March 31 – you're going to let in a few columnists whether you like it or not. It's inevitable.
If you want, you can apply for Alexa+ Early Access. All you need is a late-model Echo Show – a smart display that doubles as a video-enabled Amazon Echo and a FireTV entertainment center – and, apparently, a little luck. The company says it plans to have 'millions' enrolled by month's end, which probably means the amount of luck you need is dropping sharply.
In case you missed it: Amazon turns command-taker into plan-maker with Alexa+ launch
Bottom line
I've been very pleased – and occasionally quite impressed – with Alexa+. It can do everything the original Alexa can do, only with a flexible, approachable personality that makes interactions more pleasant and accurate.
The AI-enabled Alexa+ can also handle more complex tasks, from brainstorming menus and managing calendars to planning repairs and finding the right restaurant – and making the reservation.
Of course, my time with the new-and-improved AI assistant hasn't been without off-the-rails interactions. That's to be expected with generative AI, regardless of whether it's in pre-release or a finished product.
More often, though, I've had expansive, interesting and helpful conversations that, like the sweet smack of a perfect golf drive, make you want to come back and try again.
Those experiences are critical, I've found. Because Alexa+ doesn't magically integrate into your life. It requires a routine change. Which means that if you don't work to find reasons to engage, Alexa+ will end up being just a wittier, more pleasant-sounding egg timer than the one you have now.
The more you engage – and the more Alexa+ delivers – the easier it gets. You'll start thinking of more things to ask. And Alexa+, in turn, will chalk up more successes.
All that's a long way of saying that if you're not going to bother, then don't bother. Because you won't get to see what Alexa+ can unless you make the effort.
A smarter smart home
Our smart home may not be any smarter now. But Alexa+ makes it much easier to use.
Alexa+ is also much more tolerant of word choice. It doesn't care, for example, if I call it the entry light or foyer light, or front door light. It will turn it on regardless.
It's much easier to ask for live views of our Ring cameras on our Echo Show 21. As well, I can ask Alexa+ to show me all packages delivered in the past day.
I was even able to build a routine – turn off a set of lights at bedtime, then report the weather and review my day tomorrow on the Echo device in our walk-in closet – by talking to the Echo Show 21 in the kitchen. That's next-level accessible! This feature alone could turn out to be the killer smart home app.
Other early successes
My wife and I have had some fruitful conversations with Alexa+. As we prepared dinner one night, we lamented how the seafood quality has declined at our go-to grocer. Alexa helped us find a specialty shop with super-fresh – albeit pricey – fish.
Another valuable back-and-forth came when I took my DIY project to Alexa. I wanted to add an electrical outlet to an exterior wall. Alexa offered step-by-step instructions that we iterated on together as I shared more specifics. It felt natural.
Early glaring misses to improve upon
Alexa made me a shopping list for my external outlet project. Pretty good, except that it forgot to include the electric outlet. It incorrectly concluded that an outlet came bundled with the outlet cover.
When I challenge errors, Alexa+ reassesses in much the same agreeable manner I've experienced with chatbots like ChatGPT, Gemini and CoPilot. That's generative AI for you.
Even at this early stage, the difference between Alexa+ and the others is shaped by the territory they're carving out. Unlike the others, which are built more for smartphones and desktops, Amazon is clearly trying to lock in its place on the kitchen counter with Alexa+.
Smart move. Because the kitchen is where many families naturally plan together. And the features Amazon has built thus far – along with the ones still on the punch list, like ordering groceries, meal delivery and event tickets – are shaping up to make Alexa+ an able partner for planning and executing plans – provided you're willing to put in the effort.
If not, no worries. The kitchen counter will always be a great spot for a voice-activated egg timer.
Mike Feibus is president and principal analyst of FeibusTech, a Scottsdale, Arizona, market research and consulting firm. Reach him at [e-mail]. Follow him on X at @MikeFeibus.