Amazon has launched Alexa+ in the UK, making it the first country in Europe to get the tech giant’s next-generation AI assistant. The launch follows on the heels of its complete rollout to users in the United States last month. Alexa+ is a generative AI tool that is much more capable that the standard Alexa that people have been using for the last decade.
Alexa+ is rolling out to users in the UK as part of an Early Access program. To join, you will need to have purchased a new eligible Echo device, or if you have an eligible device already you can register here to get an invite. Hundreds of thousands of users will be invited in the coming weeks.
While Alexa+ is a big step up from the old Alexa, it comes with a price tag. It will be free during the Early Access period but then it will cost a hefty £19.99 per month, unless you are a Prime member, in which case it will be free. Alexa+ will be available for the vast majority of Echo devices and it’s also on Fire TV devices and soon will be in the web browser too.
In terms of functionality, Alexa+ works with thousands of different services and devices. In the UK, that includes partners such as OpenTable, JustEat, and Treatwell. It also supports services like Philips, Amazon Music, Spotify, Apple Music, Prime Video, Fire TV, and Ring.
With Alexa+, Brits will also be able to stay up to date with all the latest news from sources such as Reach, The Independent, The Guardian, Press Association, and Future Publishing. Of course, you can also use it to control your smart home and it can even infer what you mean, for example, if you tell it you are cold, it will know to adjust the temperature or if you say it is too bright then it will dim the lights.
You can learn more about this launch over on Amazon News.