Make your kitchen smarter with the best Wifi enabled refrigerator: Top 7 picks from Samsung, Haier and other brands
Smart features such as door-open alerts, holiday modes, and real-time temperature adjustments help you handle your kitchen with ease. Whether you're heading out for a weekend trip or coming home with a full grocery haul, your Wi-Fi fridge is ready. In this guide, we've rounded up the best Wi-Fi enabled refrigerators that blend innovation with everyday utility, helping you stay organized, efficient, and a little bit futuristic.
This Samsung fridge with Wi-Fi is equipped with a Digital Inverter Compressor, which ensures energy-efficient operation while reducing noise and enhancing durability with a 20-year warranty. Its innovative AI-powered Convertible 5-in-1 mode optimises storage for different needs, including normal, extra fridge, seasonal, vacation, and home alone modes. The twin cooling plus technology keeps food fresher longer by maintaining ideal humidity levels. Wi-Fi connectivity and SmartThings app integration allow remote control and monitoring, adding convenience to daily life.
Convertible 5-in-1 mode adapts to different storage needs
Twin cooling technology preserves freshness longer
Higher upfront cost compared to basic models
What are buyers saying on Amazon?
Buyers love the spacious design and smart features, highlighting energy savings and excellent cooling performance. Some mention a learning curve for app usage.
Why choose this product?
Choose this refrigerator with WiFi for smart AI features, versatile storage modes, and long-lasting, energy-efficient cooling backed by a 20-year compressor warranty.
Large capacity ideal for families and heavy users
Stylish jazz black finish complements modern kitchens
Voice assistant setup may be complex for some users
What are buyers saying on Amazon?
Buyers praise the large capacity and smart controls, appreciating energy efficiency and sleek design. Some users find the initial setup of voice control slightly tricky.
Why choose this product?
Opt for this WiFi fridge for advanced inverter technology, smart voice control, and spacious storage, all wrapped in a stylish, energy-saving package.
The WiFi refrigerator from Samsung offers advanced technology designed for modern living. Its frost-free cooling system, combined with Bespoke AI, delivers consistent freshness while saving up to 10% energy through the AI Energy Mode. The Convertible 5-in-1 technology adapts storage to your lifestyle, switching between modes such as Normal, Extra Fridge, Seasonal, Vacation, and Home Alone. Its 330-litre capacity suits families of three to four members perfectly. The digital inverter compressor ensures quiet operation, long-lasting performance, and energy efficiency, consuming half the power of conventional compressors.
Energy-saving AI-powered cooling
Effective freshness preservation with Twin Cooling Plus
Limited freezer capacity for large families
Samsung 330 L, 3 Star, Convertible 5-in-1, Digital Inverter, Frost Free Double Door, WiFi Enabled Bespoke AI Refrigerator (RT34DG5A4DBXHL, Luxe Black)
What are buyers saying on Amazon?
Buyers appreciate the energy savings and flexible storage. Many praise its quiet operation and smart features, while a few note the freezer size is limited.
Why choose this product?
Pick this fridge for energy-efficient AI cooling, smart storage options, and seamless app control, all packed in a stylish and durable design.
The Haier 596 L Side by Side Refrigerator brings smart technology and flexible storage together in a sleek package. Equipped with Wi-Fi connectivity, it allows remote temperature control and monitoring. The 100% Convertible Fridge Space offers unparalleled adaptability, letting users convert the freezer into fridge space as per their needs. Expert Inverter Technology ensures energy efficiency and quiet operation, backed by a 10-year warranty. The Magic Cooling with Deo Fresh Technology maintains uniform cooling and eliminates odors between compartments, keeping food fresher for longer.
Energy-efficient and quiet Expert Inverter compressor
Convenient external digital temperature display
Requires stable Wi-Fi connection for smart features to function fully
Haier 596 L, Wi-Fi enabled Water Dispenser Frost Free, 2-Door Side by Side Refrigerator with 100% Convertible Fridge Space & Expert Inverter Technology (HRS-682SWDU1, Shiny Steel)
What are buyers saying on Amazon?
Buyers praise the flexible storage and energy efficiency. Many like the Wi-Fi control and freshness retention, though a few mention initial setup challenges.
Why choose this product?
Opt for this fridge for smart Wi-Fi controls, versatile convertible space, and lasting freshness with energy-saving inverter technology.
The LG fridge with WiFi boasts a Smart Inverter Compressor, which ensures energy efficiency, quiet operation, and long-term durability. The LG 322 L Double Door Refrigerator is Wi-Fi enabled via the LG ThinQ app, allowing remote control of key features. The Convertible feature lets you switch the freezer into fridge mode, adding flexibility. Door Cooling+ ensures faster cooling across the fridge, even after frequent door openings. The Multi Air Flow system maintains uniform cooling, while the built-in deodoriser keeps your fridge smelling fresh.
Wi-Fi control via LG ThinQ app
Smart Diagnosis for easy troubleshooting
2 Star energy rating may not be as efficient as higher-rated models
LG 322 L 2 Star Frost-Free Smart Inverter Wi-Fi Double Door Refrigerator Appliance (2023 Model, GL-T342TPZY, Shiny Steel, Convertible & Door Cooling+)
What are buyers saying on Amazon?
Most buyers highlight the smart connectivity and Door Cooling+ as big advantages. It's praised for consistent cooling, build quality, and LG's support network.
Why choose this product?
Select this if you're looking for a mid-range smart fridge with convertible flexibility, remote control, and efficient cooling.
The Samsung 419 L Bespoke AI refrigerator combines smart technology with versatile storage solutions, perfect for families with 3 to 4 members. This frost-free double door fridge features a Digital Inverter Compressor that delivers quiet, energy-efficient cooling while consuming 50% less power. Equipped with Wi-Fi and SmartThings app control, this fridge brings convenience and advanced features to modern kitchens. The AI Energy Mode adds extra energy savings, while Twin Cooling Plus and Active Fresh Filter keep food fresher for up to 15 days.
Flexible Convertible 5-in-1 storage modes
Twin Cooling Plus maintains optimal humidity and freshness
Limited shelves and drawer space
Samsung 419 L, 3 Star, Convertible 5-in-1, Digital Inverter, Frost Free Double Door, Bespoke AI WiFi Enabled Refrigerator (RT45DG6A4DB1HL, Black Matte)
What are buyers saying on Amazon?
Buyers appreciate the energy efficiency, AI features, and sleek design. Some mention the convertible modes add convenience for different storage needs.
Why choose this product?
Pick this refrigerator for advanced AI-driven energy savings, flexible storage options, and consistent freshness for your family's needs.
Designed for large families, this WiFi fridge from Haier comes with 100% convertible fridge space, allowing you to adjust compartments between freezer and fresh food as per your needs. Magic Cooling with Deo Fresh technology maintains freshness while preventing odours. Additional features include a jumbo ice maker and an external digital display for easy temperature control. Its sleek black glass finish complements modern kitchens.
Expert Inverter technology ensures energy savings and quiet performance
Magic Cooling with deodorizing keeps food fresh and odour-free
Black glass finish may require frequent cleaning to avoid fingerprints mark
Haier 602 L, 3 Star, WiFi Enabled, 100% Convertible Fridge Space, Expert Inverter 2-Door Frost Free Side by Side Refrigerator, (HRS-682KGU1, Black Glass)
What are buyers saying on Amazon?
Buyers praise the spacious convertible design and quiet inverter compressor. Many find the WiFi features handy and appreciate the freshness technology.
Why choose this product?
Opt for this fridge to enjoy maximum flexibility with convertible space, smart WiFi controls, and long-lasting, energy-efficient cooling.
A: Wi-Fi enabled refrigerators offer convenience, control, and energy savings. They allow you to monitor temperatures, switch cooling modes, receive alerts for open doors, and even troubleshoot errors via a smartphone app. This smart connectivity ensures better efficiency, food safety, and ease of use, especially in busy households.
Yes, most modern Wi-Fi refrigerators from brands like Samsung, LG, and Haier support stabiliser-free operation and can connect seamlessly to home inverters. This feature ensures uninterrupted cooling during voltage fluctuations or power outages, making them reliable for Indian households with a variable power supply.
While Wi-Fi enhances control and convenience, these refrigerators still function fully offline. The smart features like alerts, diagnostics, and remote control need internet access. If your Wi-Fi is temporarily down, basic operations like cooling and freezing continue without interruption.
App Compatibility: Ensure your smartphone supports the brand's required app.
Inverter Compressor: Offers quiet operation, better energy efficiency, and longer compressor life.
Hygiene Features: Look for antibacterial gaskets and built-in deodorising filters to keep food fresh and clean.
Wi-Fi Stability: A stable home Wi-Fi connection is essential for uninterrupted smart features.
Convertible Options: Choose models that allow switching between fridge and freezer modes as per need.
Cooling Technology: Look for features like Twin Cooling, Multi Air Flow, or Door Cooling+ for uniform temperature.
Energy Rating: Go for higher BEE star ratings to save more on electricity in the long run.
Storage Needs: Choose a capacity that fits your family size—typically 400L and above for larger households.
Best refrigerators for large families: 10 top 500L+ capacity fridges for Indian homes with huge space and smart features
Best convertible refrigerators: Top 10 picks for energy-efficient and flexible storage solutions
Best bottom freezer refrigerators: Top 10 fridges for families who need easy freezer access and less frequent bending
Best refrigerators under 25000 in April 2025: Top 10 budget-friendly single and double door refrigerators
Best refrigerator brands in India that combine modern features, durability and performance from top brands
Yes, many refrigerators do come with convertible features.
They are slightly pricier but offer long-term value and additional features for convenience.
Some models support Alexa or Google Assistant, so it is advisable to check before buying.
Yes, most of these wifi enabled refrigerators are installed by brand technicians.
Disclaimer: At Hindustan Times, we help you stay up-to-date with the latest trends and products. Hindustan Times has an affiliate partnership, so we may get a part of the revenue when you make a purchase. We shall not be liable for any claim under applicable laws, including but not limited to the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, with respect to the products. The products listed in this article are in no particular order of priority.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
4 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 vs Vivo X Fold 5: Compare design, display, camera and more
If you are considering a foldable phone this year, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Vivo X Fold 5 stand out as the latest options available in India. Both devices launched recently and offer foldable designs combined with advanced features, improved design, display, and AI enhancements. Here's a detailed specifications and features comparison of Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Vivo X Fold 5 to help you decide which foldable phone suits your needs and budget. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 vs Vivo X Fold 5: Find out which one offers the best value and suits your needs. (HT Tech, Vivo) Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 vs Vivo X Fold 5: Design The Vivo X Fold 5 measures 9.2mm when folded and 4.3mm when unfolded. It weighs 217 grams and features second-generation Armour Glass on its cover screen. The device also carries an IPX8, IPX9, and IPX9+ water resistance, a first in the industry. Meanwhile, Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 weighs slightly less at 215 grams and maintains Samsung's established foldable design, but does not offer the same level of water resistance as Vivo. Also read: iPhone 17 Air vs iPhone 17 Pro Max: Leaked image reveals notable difference in thickness Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 vs Vivo X Fold 5: Display Vivo X Fold 5 features 8.03-inch foldable AMOLED inner screen with 2480 x 2200 resolution and a 6.53-inch cover display at 2748 x 1172 resolution. Both screens support a 120Hz refresh rate and reach up to 4,500 nits brightness. They also come with TÜV Rheinland certification and Zeiss Master Colour calibration. In comparison, the Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 7 features a 8-inch foldable inner display and a 6.5-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X cover screen with 2520 x 1080 resolution, also supporting 120Hz refresh rate. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 vs Vivo X Fold 5: Camera Vivo X Fold 5 sports a triple 50MP rear camera: a main sensor, an ultrawide lens, and a ZEISS telephoto lens offering 3x optical zoom and up to 100x digital zoom. It features 20MP front cameras on both the inner and cover screens. On the other hand, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 features a 200MP main sensor, a 12MP ultrawide lens, and a 10MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom, plus two 10MP front cameras. Also read: Pixel 9 Pro Fold vs Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6: Which foldable smartphone may be the right buy Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 vs Vivo X Fold 5: Battery and Charging The Vivo X Fold 5 houses a 6,000mAh battery, the largest capacity among foldables, with 80W wired and 40W wireless charging support. In contrast, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 houses a smaller 4,400mAh battery with 25W wired and wireless charging support. Vivo's battery capacity and charging speeds make it more suited for longer use. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 vs Vivo X Fold 5: AI Features and Connectivity Vivo integrates Google's Gemini Assistant and an AI imaging suite that includes tools like AI Image Expander, AI Magic Move, AI Erase, and AI Reflection Erase. Meanwhile, the Samsung runs One UI 8 on Android 16 with several smart features, but it does not include dedicated AI imaging tools like Vivo. Both devices support modern connectivity options such as 5G, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth, and dual SIM functionality. Samsung offers Bluetooth 5.4, which helps with faster data transfer and lower latency. Also read: Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6 vs Galaxy Z Flip5: Which foldable mobile phone should you buy? Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 vs Vivo X Fold 5: Price Comparison The Vivo X Fold 5 is priced at Rs. 1,49,999 for the 16GB RAM and 512GB storage variant. Meanwhile, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 comes in three configurations: 12GBRAM and 256GB storage variant at Rs. 1,74,999, 12GB RAM and 512GB storage variant is priced at Rs. 1,86,999, and 16GB RAM and 1TB storage variant is priced at Rs. 2,16,999.
Indian Express
5 hours ago
- Indian Express
Alexa got an AI brain transplant. How smart is it now?
For the last few years, I've been waiting for Alexa's AI glow-up. I've been a loyal user of Alexa, the voice assistant that powers Amazon's home devices and smart speakers, for more than a decade. I have five Alexa-enabled speakers scattered throughout my house, and while I don't use them for anything complicated — playing music, setting timers and getting the weather forecast are basically it — they're good at what they do. But since 2023, when ChatGPT added an AI voice mode that could answer questions in a fluid, conversational way, it has been obvious that Alexa would need a brain transplant — a new AI system built around the same large language models, or LLMs, that power ChatGPT and other products. LLM-based systems are smarter and more versatile than older systems. They can handle more complex requests, making them an obvious pick for a next-generation voice assistant. Amazon agrees. For the last few years, the company has been working feverishly to upgrade the AI inside Alexa. It has been a slog. Replacing the AI technology inside a voice assistant isn't as easy as swapping in a new model, and the Alexa remodel was reportedly delayed by internal struggles and technical challenges along the way. LLMs also aren't a perfect match for this kind of product, which not only needs to work with tons of preexisting services and millions of Alexa-enabled devices but also needs to reliably perform basic tasks. But finally, the new Alexa — known as Alexa+ — is here. It's a big, ambitious remodel that is trying to marry the conversational skills of generative AI chatbots with the daily tasks that the old Alexa did well. Alexa+, which has been available to testers through an early-access program for a few months, is now being rolled out more widely. I got it recently after I bought a compatible device (the Echo Show 8, which has an 8-inch screen) and enrolled in the upgraded version. (Prime members will get Alexa+ at no cost, while non-Prime members will have to pay $19.99 per month.) The New York Times recently announced a licensing deal with Amazon, which will allow Amazon to use Times content in its AI systems, including Alexa+. The Times is also suing OpenAI, the maker of ChatGPT, and Microsoft for alleged copyright violations related to the training of AI systems. I have good news and bad news for my fellow Alexa-heads. The good news is that the new Alexa+ is, in fact, more fun to talk to than the old one, with more realistic synthetic voices and a more humanlike cadence. (There are eight voices to choose from; I used the default setting, an upbeat female voice.) And I liked some of Alexa+'s new capabilities, such as booking a table at a restaurant and generating long stories and reading them to my 3-year-old. The new Alexa is also better at handling multistep requests. 'Set three kitchen timers for 15, 25 and 45 minutes' and 'write a one-day itinerary for a trip to San Diego and send it to my email' were two prompts that worked for me. And Alexa+ doesn't require you to say its wake word every time you talk to it, so you can go back and forth or ask it follow-up questions, which is a nice change. The bad news is that despite its new capabilities, Alexa+ is too buggy and unreliable for me to recommend. In my testing, it not only lagged behind ChatGPT's voice mode and other AI voice assistants I've tried but also was noticeably worse than the original Alexa at some basic tasks. When I asked Alexa+ to cancel an alarm the other morning — a request I had made to the old Alexa hundreds of times with no issues — it simply ignored me. When I emailed a research paper to alexa@ in order to hear Alexa+ summarize it while I washed the dishes, I got an error message saying the document couldn't be found. Alexa+ also hallucinated some facts and made some inexplicable errors. When I asked it to look up Wirecutter's recommended box grater and add it to my Amazon cart, it responded that 'according to Wirecutter, the best box grater is the OXO Good Grips Box Grater.' Wirecutter's actual box grater pick is the Cuisipro 4-Sided Box Grater. Luckily, I caught the mistake before ordering. When I asked Alexa+ to walk me through installing a new AI model on my laptop, it got tripped up and started repeating, 'Oh, no, my wires got crossed.' And I didn't have access to some of the new Alexa+ features Amazon advertised, such as a 'routine' feature that triggers several different actions when a user enters a room. (I wanted to have Alexa+ greet me in the mornings with a motivational speech and a high-volume rendition of 'Eye of the Tiger,' but the presence-sensing feature hasn't been turned on yet, according to an Amazon spokesperson.) Daniel Rausch, the Amazon vice president who oversees Alexa and Echo, told me in a recent podcast interview that many of these flaws would be fixed soon as Alexa+ rolled out more widely and more of its features came online. 'We've got some edges to sand,' he said. Alexa, Give Me 500 Words on the History of Kitchen Timers Rausch said the biggest challenge in building generative AI models into Alexa was that they were fundamentally different types of systems. The old Alexa, he said, was built on a complicated web of rule-based, deterministic algorithms. Setting timers, playing songs on Spotify, turning off the lamp in your living room — all of these features required calling up different tools and connecting with different interfaces, and they all had to be programmed one by one. Adding generative AI to Alexa forced Amazon to rebuild many of these processes, Rausch said. Large language models, he said, are 'stochastic,' meaning they operate on probabilities rather than a strict set of rules. That made Alexa more creative but less reliable. It also made the voice assistant slow. Rausch recalled an early internal demo in which Alexa+ took more than 30 seconds to play a song — an 'excruciating' delay, he said, that led the team to rethink its approach. 'These models are slow to respond when they're following a deep set of instructions,' he said. 'We're asking them to do something quite hard.' Another challenge to overcome, Rausch said, was generative AI's wordiness. Initially, when engineers hooked Alexa up to large language models, the system would sometimes produce long, verbose answers or introduce needless complexity. Alexa+ might respond to a user's request for a 10-minute kitchen timer with a 500-word essay about the history of kitchen timers. The solution, Rausch said, was to spend several years combining more than 70 AI models — some Amazon's proprietary models and some from outside providers, like Anthropic's Claude — into a single, voice-based interface, with an orchestration system that routes a user's request to the model that is best suited to handle it. 'The magic, when it is working really well, is to get those new ways of speaking to Alexa to interface with those predictable outcomes or behaviors,' he said. There are other barriers, too. One of them, Rausch said, is that many longtime users have learned how to 'speak Alexa,' phrasing their daily requests in familiar commands that they know the system will understand. 'We all sort of came up with our way of setting a timer to get the pasta done on time,' he said. But Alexa+ processes language in a more fluid way. Users can talk to it as they would talk to a human — no robot pidgin required — and that may necessitate some retraining. I assume that many of the flaws will be ironed out and that most users will acclimate to the new way of speaking to Alexa+. I'm also inclined to cut Amazon some slack, since building LLM-based technology into a reliable voice assistant seems like a thorny technical problem, and it's not like anyone else has solved it. (Apple, which has been struggling to give Siri an AI upgrade for years, certainly hasn't.) I also don't think the limitations of Alexa+ suggest that generative AI models are inherently unreliable or that they'll never work as personal voice assistants. Ultimately, I think it's just really hard to combine generative AI with older, legacy systems — a lesson many companies, both inside and outside tech, are learning the hard way right now — and it's going to take some time to work out all the kinks. For now, I'm going to downgrade my devices to the older, less intelligent version of Alexa and leave the beta testing to others. With AI, as with humans, sometimes raw intelligence matters less than how you use it.
Time of India
7 hours ago
- Time of India
Alexa got an AI brain transplant: How smart is it now
Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads For the last few years, I've been waiting for Alexa 's AI glow-up.I've been a loyal user of Alexa, the voice assistant that powers Amazon 's home devices and smart speakers, for more than a decade. I have five Alexa-enabled speakers scattered throughout my house, and while I don't use them for anything complicated -- playing music, setting timers and getting the weather forecast are basically it -- they're good at what they since 2023, when ChatGPT added an AI voice mode that could answer questions in a fluid, conversational way, it has been obvious that Alexa would need a brain transplant -- a new AI system built around the same large language models, or LLMs, that power ChatGPT and other products. LLM-based systems are smarter and more versatile than older systems. They can handle more complex requests, making them an obvious pick for a next-generation voice agrees. For the last few years, the company has been working feverishly to upgrade the AI inside Alexa. It has been a slog. Replacing the AI technology inside a voice assistant isn't as easy as swapping in a new model, and the Alexa remodel was reportedly delayed by internal struggles and technical challenges along the way. LLMs also aren't a perfect match for this kind of product, which not only needs to work with tons of preexisting services and millions of Alexa-enabled devices but also needs to reliably perform basic finally, the new Alexa -- known as Alexa+ -- is here. It's a big, ambitious remodel that is trying to marry the conversational skills of generative AI chatbots with the daily tasks that the old Alexa did which has been available to testers through an early-access program for a few months, is now being rolled out more widely. I got it recently after I bought a compatible device (the Echo Show 8, which has an 8-inch screen) and enrolled in the upgraded version. (Prime members will get Alexa+ at no cost, while non-Prime members will have to pay $19.99 per month.)The New York Times recently announced a licensing deal with Amazon, which will allow Amazon to use Times content in its AI systems, including Alexa+. The Times is also suing OpenAI, the maker of ChatGPT, and Microsoft for alleged copyright violations related to the training of AI systems.I have good news and bad news for my fellow good news is that the new Alexa+ is, in fact, more fun to talk to than the old one, with more realistic synthetic voices and a more humanlike cadence. (There are eight voices to choose from; I used the default setting, an upbeat female voice.)And I liked some of Alexa+'s new capabilities, such as booking a table at a restaurant and generating long stories and reading them to my new Alexa is also better at handling multistep requests. "Set three kitchen timers for 15, 25 and 45 minutes" and "write a one-day itinerary for a trip to San Diego and send it to my email" were two prompts that worked for Alexa+ doesn't require you to say its wake word every time you talk to it, so you can go back and forth or ask it follow-up questions, which is a nice bad news is that despite its new capabilities, Alexa+ is too buggy and unreliable for me to recommend. In my testing, it not only lagged behind ChatGPT's voice mode and other AI voice assistants I've tried but also was noticeably worse than the original Alexa at some basic I asked Alexa+ to cancel an alarm the other morning -- a request I had made to the old Alexa hundreds of times with no issues -- it simply ignored I emailed a research paper to alexa@ in order to hear Alexa+ summarize it while I washed the dishes, I got an error message saying the document couldn't be also hallucinated some facts and made some inexplicable errors. When I asked it to look up Wirecutter 's recommended box grater and add it to my Amazon cart, it responded that "according to Wirecutter, the best box grater is the OXO Good Grips Box Grater." Wirecutter's actual box grater pick is the Cuisipro 4-Sided Box Grater. Luckily, I caught the mistake before ordering. When I asked Alexa+ to walk me through installing a new AI model on my laptop, it got tripped up and started repeating, "Oh, no, my wires got crossed."And I didn't have access to some of the new Alexa+ features Amazon advertised, such as a "routine" feature that triggers several different actions when a user enters a room. (I wanted to have Alexa+ greet me in the mornings with a motivational speech and a high-volume rendition of "Eye of the Tiger," but the presence-sensing feature hasn't been turned on yet, according to an Amazon spokesperson.)Daniel Rausch , the Amazon vice president who oversees Alexa and Echo, told me in a recent podcast interview that many of these flaws would be fixed soon as Alexa+ rolled out more widely and more of its features came online."We've got some edges to sand," he said the biggest challenge in building generative AI models into Alexa was that they were fundamentally different types of old Alexa, he said, was built on a complicated web of rule-based, deterministic algorithms. Setting timers, playing songs on Spotify, turning off the lamp in your living room -- all of these features required calling up different tools and connecting with different interfaces, and they all had to be programmed one by generative AI to Alexa forced Amazon to rebuild many of these processes, Rausch said. Large language models, he said, are "stochastic," meaning they operate on probabilities rather than a strict set of rules. That made Alexa more creative but less also made the voice assistant slow. Rausch recalled an early internal demo in which Alexa+ took more than 30 seconds to play a song -- an "excruciating" delay, he said, that led the team to rethink its approach."These models are slow to respond when they're following a deep set of instructions," he said. "We're asking them to do something quite hard."Another challenge to overcome, Rausch said, was generative AI's wordiness. Initially, when engineers hooked Alexa up to large language models, the system would sometimes produce long, verbose answers or introduce needless complexity. Alexa+ might respond to a user's request for a 10-minute kitchen timer with a 500-word essay about the history of kitchen solution, Rausch said, was to spend several years combining more than 70 AI models -- some Amazon's proprietary models and some from outside providers, like Anthropic's Claude -- into a single, voice-based interface, with an orchestration system that routes a user's request to the model that is best suited to handle it."The magic, when it is working really well, is to get those new ways of speaking to Alexa to interface with those predictable outcomes or behaviors," he are other barriers, too. One of them, Rausch said, is that many longtime users have learned how to "speak Alexa," phrasing their daily requests in familiar commands that they know the system will understand."We all sort of came up with our way of setting a timer to get the pasta done on time," he Alexa+ processes language in a more fluid way. Users can talk to it as they would talk to a human -- no robot pidgin required -- and that may necessitate some retraining.I assume that many of the flaws will be ironed out and that most users will acclimate to the new way of speaking to Alexa+. I'm also inclined to cut Amazon some slack, since building LLM-based technology into a reliable voice assistant seems like a thorny technical problem, and it's not like anyone else has solved it. ( Apple , which has been struggling to give Siri an AI upgrade for years, certainly hasn't.)I also don't think the limitations of Alexa+ suggest that generative AI models are inherently unreliable or that they'll never work as personal voice assistants. Ultimately, I think it's just really hard to combine generative AI with older, legacy systems -- a lesson many companies, both inside and outside tech, are learning the hard way right now -- and it's going to take some time to work out all the now, I'm going to downgrade my devices to the older, less intelligent version of Alexa and leave the beta testing to others. With AI, as with humans, sometimes raw intelligence matters less than how you use it.
