With artificial intelligence and ChatGPT now available to everyone, voice assistants like Siri, Alexa, or Google Assistant, seem somewhat outdated. However, since ChatGPT is not present on all devices but these assistants have been with us for years, they remain widely used. It is only a matter of time before they update to include more advanced features, which is what Amazon plans to do with Alexa Plus, a monthly subscription that will enable generative AI use on their devices.
Although we are still far from a society entirely driven by artificial intelligence, we are gradually moving closer. ChatGPT has shown that it is possible to have a virtual assistant at all times on our mobile or PC. While ChatGPT is free, it depends on service load and user numbers, which may cause response times to be slower than usual. Moreover, free users face limitations, particularly regarding response speed and the use of the more advanced GPT-4 model.
Amazon is preparing a paid subscription for generative AI in their voice assistant with Alexa Plus
Although ChatGPT is hugely popular, it does not have the same integration as Siri with Apple or Google Assistant on Android phones. These voice assistants are entirely integrated into smartphones and can be accessed instantly, enabling quick and easy interaction. Nevertheless, if we could integrate ChatGPT or a more capable AI assistant, it would likely spell the end for our current options. Amazon has been planning for months to launch a subscription model to incorporate AI-powered Alexa.
Now there is news on this front, as Amazon will release Alexa Plus, a paid subscription that will enable generative AI functions across various devices. Essentially, this will be an upgraded version of the Alexa assistant, compatible with Amazon Echo, Echo Dot, Echo Plus, Echo Show, Echo Studio/Input/Spot, and Fire TV devices.
Alexa Plus will debut as a subscription service in the second half of 2024
David Limp, Amazon’s former head of devices, mentioned that the company is seeking ways to offset the losses incurred by creating a smarter Alexa. As a result, Alexa Plus will be a paid subscription model separate from Prime membership. This means that Alexa Plus will not be included with Prime subscriptions, and users will have to pay a monthly fee.
As of now, the specifics of this subscription model and its pricing remain unknown. According to rumors, Alexa Plus will be finalized on June 30th, at the end of the second quarter of 2024. Therefore, the subscription service offering generative AI-powered Alexa is expected to become available in the second half of 2024. Besides Amazon, other companies have also been considering similar ideas, as Google announced its plan to integrate its Bard AI into their voice assistant.
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