Amazon Alexa event liveblog: New AI services and more
Amazon has kicked off its New York City devices event — and Engadget is on the scene, covering it in real-time. There's no livestream, so you won't be able to watch Panos Panay and his colleagues present to members of the media, but we're sharing live analysis and photos throughout the morning. Amazon CEO Andy Jassy has kicked off the event, and the event space is adorned with what appear to be existing Amazon Echo speakers, Echo Show displays and Fire TV devices. Scroll down to follow live.
Calling on Alexa+ brings up a little blue swirl at the bottom of the screen, which appears to change in subtle ways depending on what you're requesting. Panay says those are called "Alexacons."
Panay is doing this whole demo on a large Echo Show display, by the way.
Panay asks for pizza recommendations nearby, and Alexa+ gives a few recommendations back. The idea is that you can engage with the assistant in a more natural manner, not having to make stilted, more siloed requests one at a time.
Panay says Alexa+ has contextual awareness. It understands and remembers the conversation you're currently having.
Panay says Alexa+ can understand tone and respond accordingly. He only said "Alexa" once during that last little bit, didn't need to say "Hey Alexa" each time.
Panay is chatting with Alexa+. He notes how he's giving a presentation, clearly trying to show how the updated assistant can comprehend and handle more complex conversations.
Now it's live demo time. Panay admits he wasn't scared up until now. Everything coming up is "fully live."
Panay says Alexa+ will remember your favorite movies, find all your favorite smart devices and "learn the rhythm of your life."
Panay says it's smarter, conversational, more useful and more personalized. (He keeps referring to Alexa as "she," which I'm trying not to do but forgive me if I slip up.)
It's called Alexa+.
After comparing the new Alexa to a symphony, we have a little reel showcasing the updated assistant. We hear her giving dinner ideas, completing calendar and smart home requests, and so on, all in a more natural conversational tone.
If only Amazon gave people time at the start of this event to mute their Alexa devices so they didn't all go off repeatedly during this video or event.
Panay says an AI chatbot on its own doesn't get Amazon to their vision of Alexa. They need something that's easy to use and "can actually take action."
Panay basically saying how it can still be frustrating to use Alexa today, but that generative AI will help rectify those existing pain points. Go on...
Now we've cut to a video of different people using Alexa in various ways. They're all delighted, of course.
Panay says people use Alexa 20 percent more in 2024 than they did in 2023.
Amazon is hosting an Alexa-themed event on February 26. Check out what we expect Amazon to announce, and come back to catch up on all the news from the company's showcase.
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