Amazon has expanded access to Alexa+, its next-generation AI assistant, making a limited version free to all US users while bundling the full feature set with Prime or a standalone subscription.
The move follows a year-long early access phase and signals Amazon’s intent to push Alexa+ into wider everyday use, even as questions remain about stability and readiness for mass adoption.
Anyone in the US can now access Alexa+ through the web at no cost, while Prime members unlock the complete experience for free, and non-Prime users can subscribe separately for $19.99 per month.
The wider rollout follows earlier controversy around how Alexa+ is being deployed, particularly after reports that Prime members were automatically upgraded to the new assistant without an explicit opt-in.
Amazon frames Alexa+ as a more conversational and capable assistant that extends beyond voice commands, aligning it with the broader shift toward ChatGPT-style AI tools embedded into consumer platforms.
How Alexa+ access works
Prime subscribers can upgrade existing devices by issuing a voice command or enabling Alexa+ through the Alexa website, while non-subscribers can test a limited version directly in a browser.
The full version expands access beyond web chat, supports household sharing, and enables more complex interactions across Echo devices and connected services.
Amazon highlights improvements such as contextual memory, broader task handling, and early agent-style actions, including booking services or placing orders through conversational prompts.
The company reports strong early uptake, stating that tens of millions of users have already switched and that usage frequency exceeds that of the previous Alexa experience.
Early feedback raises stability concerns
Despite wider availability, early user feedback suggests Alexa+ still struggles with reliability, particularly when handling smart home controls and routine-based automation.
Posts across online forums describe slow responses, inaccurate answers, broken routines, and inconsistent behaviour with devices that previously worked smoothly under the standard Alexa system.
Some users report excessive verbosity, scheduling errors, and hallucinated commands, highlighting challenges common to large-scale AI rollouts that replace long-standing assistant platforms.
While such issues often accompany major architectural changes, the volume and variety of complaints suggest Alexa+ may require further refinement before it matches the dependability users expect.
Amazon allows users to revert to the original Alexa for now, though the company has made clear that Alexa+ represents the long-term direction for its assistant ecosystem.
That transition mirrors similar shifts across the industry, where legacy voice assistants give way to more flexible yet less predictable AI-driven systems.
Amazon has not announced a timeline for international availability or outlined when it plans to address current stability issues.
For now, Alexa+ offers a low-risk way for US users to explore Amazon’s AI future, though early adopters may need patience as the platform matures.
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