Amazon is gearing up for a major product launch event, with the online retail giant’s unveiling taking place in New York. The primary focus of the event appears to be a substantial update for Alexa, the company’s popular voice assistant.
Alexa already plays a significant role in many people’s daily lives, managing tasks from setting timers and delivering news updates to making announcements. The anticipated upgrades could take the assistant to a new level. Amazon’s demo in 2023 showcased the potential for a more conversational and human-like interaction, eliminating the need to repeatedly use the wake word “Alexa” during a conversation.
Following that initial demonstration, there’s been a period of silence, but the official launch of this new advanced Alexa might occur during the event. Amazon’s SVP Panos Panay, who previously led Microsoft’s Surface devices, is set to lead the announcements.
It’s expected that along with enhanced conversational abilities, the upgraded assistant could potentially offer features like email and text message capabilities, improved search functionalities, and even the ability to order food deliveries. For Alexa users, these improvements are likely to be welcomed with enthusiasm, although it may come at a cost. Rumors suggest that the premium version of the assistant could be priced at around $10 per month.
While Amazon is unlikely to eliminate the free version altogether, users wanting access to the most advanced features could find themselves facing another subscription. In addition it is considered that devices such as Echo speakers and entry-level Fire TV Sticks, which haven’t been updated in over 18 months, are due for a refresh.
With the event scheduled to begin around 10 AM ET (3 PM GMT), the possibility exists for hardware announcements alongside the anticipated software updates. express.co.uk will be providing live coverage of the event as it unfolds.
