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Your existing Echo device may already be equipped to use Amazon's Alexa+ upgrade.
Alexa+ recently launched in the UK, and is an optional boost to Amazon's chatty voice assistant designed to handle more features than ever before. Conversations with the AI should be more natural, as Alexa+ remembers details about your personal life to add context and can execute tough tasks without rigid commands. The enhanced system also allows follow-up questions without repeating the wake word "Alexa" every time and can recall queries within the same conversation.
This represents a fundamental shift from the traditional command-and-response model to a more intuitive, conversational experience.
And if you're looking to try it out for yourself, you won't need to worry about draining your bank account from investing in a whole new device. Amazon Alexa and Echo VP Daniel Rausch told TechCrunch, “97% of devices we ever shipped can support Alexa+.”
Alexa+ is an optional boost to Amazon's chatty voice assistant designed to handle more features than ever before. Conversations with the AI should be more natural, as Alexa+ remembers details about your personal life to add context and can execute tough tasks without rigid commands.
| AMAZON PRESS OFFICEAlexa+ will be slowly rolling out to UK households over the coming weeks.
However, anyone who buys a brand-new Echo device that's designed from the ground up for Alexa+ will unlock immediate access. Alexa+ is only available right now with newer Amazon devices. The US retailer will be slowly rolling it out to the majority of its Echo portfolio.
The following devices will not be compatible with the updated chat assistant:
- Echo Dot (1st Gen)
- Echo (1st Gen)
- Echo Plus (1st Gen)
- Spot (1st Gen)
- Echo Show (1st and 2nd Gen)
Alexa+ is also not currently available on Echo Buds or Echo Auto.
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If you already own a compatible device, sign up at amazon.co.uk/newalexa to join a waiting list for the new programme.
Amazon says it plans to"invite hundreds of thousands of customers in the coming weeks" to test out Alexa+.
But like so many other tech upgrades, Alexa+ comes at a cost. The new service is now available at £19.99 per month as part of a new subscription system, but you can avoid the additional cost if you're a Prime member.
Sign up for Amazon Prime and never pay extra for Alexa+
Amazon Prime membership in the UK offers free one-day delivery, Prime Video, Prime Music, unlimited cloud storage for photos, and a handful of other perks. New users can enjoy a 30-day free trial. Membership is required to unlock access to the annual Prime Day sale, which features major discounts across "hundreds of thousands" of products in all categories on Amazon
Alexa+ UK price – What you'll pay
Amazon has structured Alexa+ pricing around its current Prime membership plans:
- Prime Members: Alexa+ is intended to be free for Amazon Prime members, included as part of the Prime membership. This becomes a great free perk if you're already a subscriber
- For Non-Prime Users: Amazon plans to charge a subscription fee of £19.99 per month for non-Prime users to access full Alexa+ features
- During Early Access: Alexa+ is currently free for all users during the early access period, including non-Prime members, though this is temporary. To gain early access, you'll need to already have or purchase one of the newer Amazon smart home devices, such as the Echo Show 8, Echo Show 11, Echo Dot Max, and Echo Studio. All of these devices are built specifically with Alexa+ in mind