First Impressions of Alexa+: Amazon’s Upgraded AI-Powered Digital Assistant

I owned numerous Alexa-powered devices in my previous home: There were Amazon Echos in most rooms, including an older Echo Plus in the living room, a range of Dots, a Spot in a bedroom, and an Echo Show in the kitchen. A Fire TV was located in the bedroom, and a rarely used Fire HD tablet sat collecting dust in a drawer.

After losing the home completely in a house fire in March 2024, a new opportunity emerged: we could start fresh and create a more modern smart home. However, whether Alexa should remain at the center of our connected home is still uncertain.

To determine if Alexa is still the optimal smart assistant for my family, I plan to test Amazon’s AI-powered devices, explore AI queries, and share my findings in a multi-part series. Through this series, I aim to provide consumers insights into how effectively Alexa operates in various real-world scenarios, rather than just company demos.

Alexa Needed to Catch Up

Amazon’s assistant, which once inspired Star Trek vibes as users commanded their home computer to close blinds or turn off lights, no longer feels as groundbreaking in the ChatGPT era. Nowadays, users can interact with AI through both text and voice chat. Current AI chatbots and powered services can respond to a myriad of queries, showcase creativity, reason, create visuals and art, generate videos, and even perform tasks online on behalf of users.

In February 2025, Amazon announced a comprehensive overhaul of its digital assistant with the launch of Alexa+, powered by generative AI. This service began its gradual rollout to customers in March and is claimed to be accessible to “many millions” of users. Notably, Alexa+ is model-agnostic, enabling it to use whatever resources it requires at the moment to adequately fulfill user requests. Alexa+ is leveraging models from Anthropic and Amazon Nova, along with others.

The company hinted that this enhanced Alexa could do much more than simply set alarms and timers, manage smart home devices, and field questions. It utilizes generative AI to analyze information stored in Amazon users’ accounts, comprehend their schedules, and adapt to their preferences. It can remember facts, process files, and summarize footage from Ring cameras.

Importantly, Amazon has collaborated with partners to enable Alexa to take actions on behalf of users, such as booking dinner reservations, scheduling Uber rides, or purchasing concert tickets. By integrating with Amazon’s grocery service, it could also allow users to create shopping lists by voice and facilitate product deliveries. Essentially, it aims to introduce agentic AI into everyday life.

Before diving into that, let’s see how Alexa+ performs on the basics.

Setting up Alexa+ on an Echo Spot

Device: Echo Spot
Default music service: Spotify (Premium)

Before relocating to my new home, I put Alexa+ to the test on a brand-new Echo Spot after joining the beta program. As I couldn’t connect smart home devices in the temporary Airbnb residence, I initially evaluated the device’s AI capabilities in other ways.

Primarily, I wanted to assess whether Alexa+ was truly as intelligent and useful as Amazon claimed.

Setting up the Spot was simpler than with previous devices because now you only needed to scan a QR code within the Alexa app to initiate the process. The app automatically connected to the home’s Wi-Fi, eliminating the need for cumbersome network toggling.

On the next screen, I accepted the free upgrade to the new Alexa+, with the option to revert to the old Alexa service anytime if issues arose.

The onboarding process included a brief video explaining that Alexa would adapt and learn more as I used it, along with guidance on communicating with her. I subsequently linked my Google account, granting Alexa access to my inbox and calendar.

After doing so, I was left on a blank page, but upon closing the window, the screen indicated that my “Account Linked.” (Disclosure: I am running the iOS 26 developer beta on my iPhone, so perhaps that was the issue?)

Next, I chose the services I wanted to integrate with Alexa+, which currently include OpenTable, Ticketmaster, Uber, and Thumbtack. I checked all the options, then proceeded to grant the necessary permissions one by one.

While somewhat tedious—especially as new services may cause this to become increasingly lengthy—I appreciated the control over data sharing and the clarity of what each service required before I agreed.

The following screen confirmed that Fodor’s travel planning service was already integrated with Alexa+, requiring no permission. It also noted that services like Uber Eats, Grubhub, and Vagaro would be added later.

Despite multiple updates, the Alexa app still suffers from poor user interface design. It feels both plain and overcrowded; lacking in color and traditional navigation patterns, trying to fit too many “things to do” on its home screen.

Finding necessary initial steps—like linking my preferred music service—was buried within the interface. You can’t simply tap on your profile icon, navigate to Settings, and scroll down to “Preferred service providers.” For some reason, that’s reserved for News, Calendar, and Email providers, but not Music service.

Instead, you access the hamburger menu at the bottom of the screen, then select the “Music & More” screen. (What’s the “More”? Podcasts? Audiobooks?)

I set Spotify as my default music service, chosen for artists and genres, as well as for podcasts. There was no option to select a default audiobooks service.

This section also listed services I previously linked with Alexa. Here, Amazon’s Audible—my preferred choice for audiobooks—was listed alongside other streaming apps, including Pandora, Amazon Music, and Apple Music. However, when I tapped on Audible, I encountered an error stating, “You’ve reached the end of Alexa’s knowledge. Just kidding. This skill no longer exists. Click here to go back.”

Uh, understood. It would seem logical to remove something that’s not functioning.

In any case, I am here to try Alexa+, not to critique a poorly designed mobile app.

I’ll sort out audiobooks later, I suppose.

Note for this Series:
In these tests, I may have shared personal information with Alexa that I will not be disclosing. In such instances, I will describe the item as “child’s school” in [brackets]. I have also slightly altered dates, times, and numbers to obscure any identifiable information regarding my accounts, meetings, or household routines.

Can Alexa+ Manage the Family’s Schedule?

Busy families, particularly those with children, often rely on a family calendar to coordinate activities, doctor’s appointments, errands, meetings, and classes. Our family calendar is maintained through Google Calendar, accessible via our phones using the native Google Calendar app, and on Mac desktops via the Fantastical calendar app.

Amazon claims that Alexa+ can help summarize your day, add new events to your calendar, identify scheduling conflicts, and more.

In practice, Alexa proved fairly efficient at letting me inquire about the schedule and various events. However, she interrupted me when I attempted to add a new meeting to my calendar. I said, “Can you add a meeting to my calendar on August 6 at 2 p.m. with [entity] about…” She cut me off to ask, “What would you like to title this meeting?”

Somewhat annoying, but not catastrophic, I suppose.

I could easily ask questions like “What’s on my calendar today?” and follow up with other inquiries—like checking if there were any meetings scheduled later in the week or requesting a repeat of one of the appointments. I didn’t need to say “Alexa” again to continue the conversation, making it feel more natural, despite a slight lag in her responses at times.

(As an aside, when I went searching for my voice chat history to write this post, I asked Alexa where to find it. She instructed me to navigate to the app’s Settings under the More menu, then check Alexa Privacy or Review Voice History. She was mistaken; neither option was available. However, I did locate my history via the “Recent Chats” link on the app’s home screen. Alexa, come on! Know thyself.)

Alexa, Remember This

Another feature Alexa+ is supposed to offer is the ability to remember information for you. To test this, I asked her to recall my frequent flier number. This interaction did not go smoothly.

Me: Alexa, can you remember my Delta SkyMiles number?
Alexa: Sure! What’s the number?

Me: *opens mouth to speak*
Alexa: I’ve added that to Remember This in the Alexa privacy section of the app. Just a reminder, anyone with access to your Alexa devices can use their voice to hear its contents.

Um, what? I tried again.

Me: Alexa, can you remember my SkyMiles number?
Alexa: Certainly! What’s the number? OK, saved it.

She didn’t even pause!

Curious, I asked her what she thinks my number is. She replied, “I don’t have your SkyMiles number saved yet. Would you like to tell me your number now?”

Me: Yes.
Alexa: Please tell me your Delta SkyMiles number!

Me: [says the 8-digit number]
Alexa: OK, saved it.

Me: What’s my SkyMiles number?
Alexa: “Six hundred fifty-two million, four hundred eighty-six thousand…”

(Note: I altered the number for this post, but Alexa read it as a long numeral instead of saying it as 6-5-2-4-8-6, etc. Not very helpful!)

Alexa, Read My Email

Alexa+ is purportedly able to understand documents forwarded to her at alexa@alexa.com using the email address associated with your Amazon account, or those uploaded in the Alexa app.

To evaluate this, I forwarded an email from my child’s school. These emails come often and usually contain valuable information but often get lost in my inbox. If Alexa can manage this task, perhaps I need to set up a Gmail forwarding filter?

Me: Alexa, summarize the recent email from school.
Alexa: The recent email from [my child’s school] is a welcome-back letter for the 2025-2026 school year. It announces an “Early Start Day” orientation on August [date] for new students, with an information session for new parents that evening. Regular classes begin on August [date].

Me: Was there anything specifically for [grade] in that email?
Alexa: I don’t see any information specifically for [grade] in that email. The letter mainly covers general school information, orientation dates, and important deadlines for all students.

Excellent, that worked. However, things began to get a bit tricky afterward.

Me: Are there any important dates I should add to my calendar?
Alexa: *repeats the important dates from above*

Me: Can you add those to my calendar for me?
Alexa: (Must have misheard me?) Checking your calendar. Sarah, it looks busy. You have [activity] ongoing until August 16th, you have [activity]. On Thursday,…

Me: (interrupting) I was asking if you could add the dates in the email to my calendar?
Alexa: Certainly! (Pause) I’ve added the following dates to your calendar:

• Course Correction Request Period from August [date] through August [date]
• New Student Orientation Early Start Day on August [date, time]
• First Day of School on August [date]

Is there anything else you’d like me to add?

Though this process seemed efficient and certainly beneficial in a pinch, you’ll note that I left it to Alexa to determine which dates were “important.” As a result, she selected the three dates closest to today. However, the email listed a total of 12 significant school dates, including Meet the Teacher Night, Open House, Midyear Graduation, and more.

If I had relied solely on Alexa, I would have missed these crucial details. Oh, dear.

Alexa, Help Me Save Money

Another promise from Alexa+ is that she can assist in tracking prices on Amazon to help save money when items go on sale. Alright, I’m intrigued! I enjoy online shopping.

I decided to track a few items, including a skincare product and a Coach handbag. These are items I don’t necessarily need, but would purchase if they were discounted.

Me: Alexa, I want to know when the Glow Recipe Plum Plumping and Hydrating Hyaluronic Acid Skin Care Serum goes on sale.
Alexa: Just a moment… I’ve set up a deal tracker for the Glow Recipe Plum Plumping Serum. I’ll notify you when it goes on sale.

Me: How much is it right now?
Alexa: *silence*

Me: Did you hear me?
Alexa: Checking on that. Yes, I heard you. I’ve already set up a deal tracker for the Glow Recipe Plum Plumping Serum. You’ll get notified when it goes on sale.

Me: How much is it now?
Alexa: *More silence.*

OK, we’ll just wait on that one.

Next, I tried tracking the handbag.

Me: Alexa, I want to know when the Coach Swinger handbag goes on sale.
Alexa: Certainly! I’ve set up a deal tracker for the Coach Swinger handbag. I’ll notify you when it goes on sale.

Me: Is it out of stock in blue?
Alexa: *Silence*

Me: Is the Coach handbag I just asked about out of stock in blue? (Note: it was, according to Amazon’s website at that time.)
Alexa: Let me check. (Long pause) I found the Coach Swinger handbag, but it’s currently available in black. The blue option isn’t showing up in the search results, which might indicate it’s out of stock. Would you like more details about the available options?

Me: No.

The Coach Swinger handbag in blue was indeed shown on the product page online, tagged as “temporarily out of stock.” While it’s available in both black and red, Alexa only mentioned the black option for some reason. Not incredibly helpful.

And now we’ll wait to see if it ever goes on sale.

Off to a Slow Start

With these initial tests, Alexa+ feels very much like a beta product. She’s making an effort but tends to make errors and is often not thorough. Sometimes, she doesn’t seem to listen or know how to respond.

Considering that many of these are standard features that don’t necessitate integrations, one has to wonder how well Alexa+ will perform when it comes to navigating the web and taking action on your behalf.

In the following installment of this series, I’ll continue testing the AI and will attempt some of the agentic AI features with Alexa+.