Tag

Alexa

All articles tagged with #alexa

technology2 days ago•9 min saved

Amazon Disables Voice Control for Echo AUX Inputs on Older Models

Amazon has disabled voice commands for controlling the AUX input on several older Echo smart speakers, affecting models released between 2018 and 2020. While the physical 3.5mm ports remain functional, users can no longer use phrases like 'Alexa, play from line in' to switch audio sources. The company cited no specific reason for the change but noted that few users relied on this feature, suggesting a shift toward Bluetooth connectivity and its new AI-driven Alexa+ service.

via Ars Technica|

#alexa #amazon #echo

technology8 days ago

Amazon Expands Alexa+ on Fire TV with Reasoning AI and Cross-Device Sync

Amazon is rolling out upgraded Alexa+ features for Fire TV and its mobile app starting in November. The update introduces advanced reasoning capabilities, allowing the assistant to answer complex questions based on user history, subscriptions, and real-world events. New features include image-based media recommendations, deep linking to streaming services, and a unified hub for live content and cloud gaming.

via Engadget|

#ai #alexa #amazon

technology11 days ago•2 min saved

Amazon Prime subscribers gain free access to advanced Alexa+ AI features

Amazon Prime members now receive free access to Alexa+, an upgraded AI assistant with enhanced capabilities. The service offers smart home control, unlimited photo storage, and 5GB of video storage, alongside new features like 'home guard' and 'music buddy.' While the standalone Alexa+ Standard plan costs approximately $20 per month and offers 1TB of storage, Prime subscribers get the advanced AI model at no extra cost. Users must ensure their Prime subscription is active and not paused to access these benefits, as Prime Video or free shipping plans alone do not qualify.

via bgr.com|

#ai-assistant #alexa #amazon-prime

technology1 month ago•16 min saved

Alexa+ Arrives Free on Fire TV With Smarter Searches and Privacy Controls

Amazon is rolling out Alexa+ for free on compatible Fire TV devices in the U.S., delivering more natural conversations, follow-up questions and features like scene jumping in Prime Video and smart‑home controls; some advanced features still require the Alexa+ Standard Plan or Prime membership. Users can review and delete Alexa history via the Alexa app, adjust Fire TV privacy settings, and choose to disable hands-free microphones or Follow Up Mode if desired.

via Fox News|

#alexa #fire-tv #privacy

technology2 months ago•6 min saved

Ditching Alexa: Privacy, Ads, and AI Drive Users Away

People are ditching Alexa for four reasons: waning interest as generative AI like ChatGPT offers more natural back-and-forth, reliability issues and quirks in Alexa’s responses, unsolicited product pitches in Alexa’s answers since 2022, and privacy concerns about cloud processing and contractor listening, all contributing to a shift away from Echo devices despite efforts like Alexa+.

via SlashGear|

#alexa #amazon #note-only-five-allowed-ensure-compliance

technology2 months ago•5 min saved

Alexa+ Elevates Echo Show to a Back-to-School Command Center

USA TODAY Shopping urges the Amazon Echo Show with Alexa+ as a top back-to-school upgrade: a shared display keeps family schedules visible, Alexa+'s generative AI handles multi-step routines like calendars and grocery lists, and the built-in camera supports quick video check-ins; with options from an 8- to 11-inch model and larger 15- and 21-inch Show variants, it doubles as a study/music/video hub and central home command center as part of the Fall Reset spotlight.

via USA Today|

#alexa #amazon-echo-show #back-to-school

technology3 months ago•2 min saved

Amazon Smart Thermostat Hits Sub-$60 in Early Prime Day Sale

Amazon’s Smart Thermostat is on sale for $57.99 in an early Prime Day deal—the best price since Black Friday. It learns your routines, adjusts for home/away and sleep, supports 24-volt HVAC systems, tracks energy usage via the app, and integrates with Alexa for voice control and routines, offering strong value under $100 for those in the Amazon ecosystem.

via The Verge|

#alexa #amazon #energy-efficiency

tech3 months ago•29 min saved

Echo Hub gets a fully customizable home screen and Ring AI search

Amazon is rolling out a free software update that refreshes the Echo Hub’s home screen with a cleaner, fully customizable layout, adds Ring AI Video Search for natural-language footage searches, and brings Alexa Plus summaries of camera events, plus expanded controls that let you organize by room, create groups, drag-and-drop sections, tweak granular device settings, and access common routines from the home screen.

via The Verge|

#alexa #amazon #echo-hub

tech4 months ago•35 min saved

Alexa Plus Extends AI-Powered Podcast Creator to Any Topic

Amazon's upgraded Alexa Plus can generate AI-hosted podcast episodes on virtually any topic, offering an outline of the discussion and allowing users to adjust length before generation; examples include history, music, the World Cup, or lessons, with AI-curated content drawn from partner outlets and delivery via Echo Show or the Alexa app.

via The Verge|

#ai-artificial-intelligence #ai-generated #alexa

technology4 months ago•16 min saved

Alexa+ Rolls Out AI-Generated Podcasts With Dual Robot Hosts

Amazon's Alexa+ now generates AI-powered podcasts featuring two robotic hosts, built from user-chosen topics and real-time reporting from major outlets (AP, Reuters, Washington Post, Time, Forbes, Politico, USA Today and 200+ local papers). The service outlines the episode, lets users adjust length and focus, and notifies you on Echo Show or the Alexa app when it’s ready. Alexa+ is free for Prime members in the U.S.; non-Prime customers pay $19.99/month. This marks a major push into AI-created audio content, following earlier experiments like Google’s NotebookLM.

via Variety|

#ai-podcasts #alexa #amazon

technology4 months ago•19 min saved

Panay: Amazon isn’t chasing a phone—it's building an AI-powered home ecosystem and Leo

In an in-depth interview, Panos Panay says Amazon isn’t aiming for a smartphone; instead, the company is expanding a cohesive AI-enabled hardware strategy—from Alexa upgrades to a range of devices and services—while pushing Leo satellite broadband as a separate growth bet and pursuing profitability through focused product design and pricing.

via Financial Times|

#alexa #amazoncom #artificial-intelligence

technology4 months ago•6 min saved

Alexa for Shopping Goes Prime: AI Assistant Now Front and Center on Amazon.com

Amazon is folding Alexa Plus into Amazon.com as Alexa for Shopping, replacing Rufus and making an AI shopping assistant central to searches, price alerts, auto-purchasing, and cross‑site shopping (Buy for Me). It works across mobile, desktop, and Echo Show devices, with a new shopping chat and visual interface on Show displays, plus features like shopping guides, price history, and scheduled actions. Availability starts in the US with a ramp‑up in coming weeks, though the end‑to‑end shopping experience requires substantial data sharing and raises trust considerations.

via The Verge|

#ai #alexa #amazon

tech5 months ago•37 min saved

Amazon unveils its slimmest Fire TV Stick HD with USB-powered setup

Amazon unveils the Fire TV Stick HD (2026), its slimmest yet at $34.99, designed to be powered from a TV’s USB port (or via USB‑C with a wall adapter if needed); it runs Fire TV OS with Wi‑Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3, and Alexa Plus, adds an Adaptive Display accessibility setting, and ships by month’s end to the US, UK, Canada, Mexico, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand.

via The Verge|

#alexa #amazon #fire-tv-os

technology6 months ago•10 min saved

Amazon Bets on an AI-First Smartphone Despite Market Doubts

Reuters reports Amazon’s Devices & Services unit is developing Transformer, a smartphone centered on Alexa+ AI and shopping, with unknown price, OS, and launch date; after the Fire Phone flop, experts doubt the device can break into a crowded market dominated by Apple and Samsung, and privacy concerns loom over data collection, though a generative UI and Panos Panay’s leadership could shape the project.

via WIRED|

#ai #alexa #amazon

tech6 months ago•44 min saved

Amazon reportedly building an Alexa-focused phone code-named Transformer

Amazon is reportedly developing a smartphone centered on its Alexa AI, code-named Transformer, with the ZeroOne team led by J Allard exploring both smartphone and “dumbphone” designs and drawing inspiration from the minimalist Light Phone; the device may rely on AI-powered mini apps instead of a full app store, but there’s no timeline or price yet.

via The Verge|

#ai-artificial-intelligence #alexa #amazon