First Impressions of Alexa+: Amazon's AI-Powered Upgrade

Testing the New Alexa+ in a Smart Home Setup

After experiencing a significant loss due to a house fire in March 2024, I found myself with a fresh opportunity to rebuild and modernize my smart home. The transition from my previous setup—filled with Amazon Echo devices, a Fire TV, and a Fire HD tablet—to a new space has been both exciting and challenging. While I had relied heavily on Alexa for managing various tasks, I’m now questioning whether it still holds the top spot as the best smart assistant for my family.

To explore this, I’ve decided to test Amazon’s AI-powered devices and experiment with AI queries. My goal is to provide consumers with insights into how well Alexa works in real-world situations, rather than relying on company demos.

The Evolution of Alexa

Amazon’s digital voice assistant, once known for its Star Trek-like capabilities, has seen a shift in the ChatGPT era. Today, users can engage with AI through text and voice chat, and modern AI chatbots offer more advanced features such as answering complex questions, creating images and art, generating videos, and even performing online tasks on your behalf.

In February 2025, Amazon announced a major update to its digital assistant with the introduction of Alexa+, powered by generative AI. This service began rolling out to customers in March and is now available to “many millions” of users, according to Amazon. The system is model-agnostic, meaning it can use different models to answer questions or complete tasks. It leverages models from Anthropic and Amazon Nova, among others.

Amazon claims that Alexa+ can do more than just set timers and alarms or control smart home devices. It can understand user schedules, preferences, and even process files while summarizing footage from Ring cameras. Additionally, it aims to integrate with partners to allow actions like booking dinner reservations, Uber rides, or buying concert tickets. Integrations with Amazon’s grocery service could also enable it to make shopping lists based on voice commands and have products delivered.

Setting Up Alexa+ on an Echo Spot

I started testing the new Alexa+ on a brand-new Echo Spot after being accepted into the beta. Since I couldn’t connect smart home devices in my temporary residence, I focused on other ways to evaluate the device’s AI capabilities.

The setup process was smoother than with previous devices, as it only required scanning a QR code via the Alexa app. The app connected automatically to the Wi-Fi, eliminating the need for toggling between networks. Onboarding included a short video explaining how Alexa would learn as I used it, along with instructions on how to interact with it. I connected my Google account, granting Alexa access to my inbox and calendar.

However, the experience wasn’t entirely smooth. After linking my account, I ended up on a blank page, which might have been related to running the iOS 26 developer beta on my iPhone. The Alexa app itself still lacks a cohesive user interface design, feeling both plain and too busy. Navigating to set my preferred music service involved several steps, and I encountered errors when trying to link Audible for audiobooks.

Managing the Family Schedule with Alexa+

Busy households often rely on family calendars to track activities, doctor’s appointments, and more. Amazon suggests that Alexa+ can help summarize the day, add events, and identify conflicts. In practice, Alexa was fairly adept at handling inquiries about the schedule but occasionally interrupted me when adding a new meeting to my calendar. For example, when I tried to add a meeting, she asked for a title before I could finish explaining the details.

Despite these hiccups, I found it easier to ask questions like “What’s on my calendar today?” and follow up with additional questions. However, there were moments of slight lag in her responses, and I noticed some inconsistencies in the app’s navigation.

Remembering Information and Reading Emails

Another feature of Alexa+ is its ability to store information on your behalf. When I tried to ask it to remember my Delta SkyMiles number, the interaction didn’t go smoothly. Alexa saved the number but then incorrectly stated that anyone with access to an Alexa device could hear it. When I asked again, she seemed confused and repeated the same response.

I also tested Alexa+’s ability to summarize emails. When I asked it to summarize a recent email from my child’s school, it provided a summary of the welcome-back letter, including key dates. However, it missed several important dates listed in the email, highlighting the need for manual verification.

Tracking Prices and Saving Money

Alexa+ promises to help track prices on Amazon so you can save money when items go on sale. I tested this by asking about a skincare serum and a Coach handbag. While Alexa set up deal trackers, it struggled to provide current pricing information. When I asked about the availability of the Coach handbag in blue, it mentioned only the black option, despite the product being temporarily out of stock in blue.

Overall, the initial tests of Alexa+ suggest it is still in the early stages of development. While it shows promise, it is prone to mistakes and lacks thoroughness in certain areas. As I continue testing the AI, I will explore its agentic AI features and smart home integrations in the next part of this series.