Alexa+ brings Amazon’s AI-powered assistant to Australia

Amazon’s revamped AI-based assistant, Alexa+, is now rolling out in Australia, aiming to provide a more conversational smart home experience.

Alexa+ first launched in early access overseas last year, using generative AI technology to respond to more complex queries. Like Google’s recently released Gemini Home upgrade, the new version of Alexa can use your information to provide more personalised responses. Amazon says the LLM-powered smart assistant can make restaurant bookings, travel reservations, and provide you with local news headlines,

According to an Amazon blog post attributed to Kate Gooden, Alexa Country Manager, Australia, the company’s local team worked on many different Australian idiosyncrasies to distinguish Alexa+ from the overseas version. It’s likely why there was a lengthy wait between the US launch and local availability.

“Building Alexa+ for Australia requires more than just swapping out a few words – it requires understanding how Australians actually communicate,” Gooden said. “She knows what a “servo” and “bottlo” are, that Bunnings does a great weekend snag, and that the Roosters would never line up against the Magpies (wrong code, mate).”

Alexa+ won’t be immediately available to everyone, however. Amazon is doing a staged rollout, with Aussies able to request early access if they have an eligible device. Compatible devices currently include the following:

• Echo Show 5 (3rd Gen, 2024 model)
• Echo Show 8
• Echo Show 11
• Echo Show 15
• Echo Studio
• Echo Dot Max
• Echo Spot (2024)
• Echo Dot (5th Gen, 2022 model)

During the early access period, Amazon won’t charge anything for the upgraded smart assistant. At this stage, early access is planned to last until 30 November 2026. Once it ends, Alexa+ will be included with Amazon’s $9.99 monthly Prime subscription, or $29.99 as a standalone subscription. That price difference indicates a strong push to get people within the Prime ecosystem.

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