Alexa news and trends

Paying for Alexa? Amazon’s Big Bet on AI-Powered Voice Services
Alexa // August 28, 2024

Amazon’s is planning an artificial intelligence (AI) overhaul for Alexa. Set to launch in October, the upgrade will reportedly transform the free voice assistant into a paid subscription service, according to the Washington Post, potentially reshaping the eCommerce giant’s customer engagement strategy. This move comes...

Report: Amazon Nearing Launch of Alexa Paid Tier
Amazon // July 23, 2024

Amazon reportedly plans to launch a paid tier of Alexa as soon as this month. The paid tier will offer a version of the voice assistant that has been dubbed “Remarkable Alexa,” is built on a new tech stack and offers greater capabilities, The Wall...

AI Explained: Is Anthropomorphism Making AI Too Human?
Artificial Intelligence // July 08, 2024

As eCommerce giants and tech startups strive to make online interactions more engaging, they’re turning to anthropomorphism — attributing human characteristics to nonhuman entities. It isn’t a new concept. For decades, companies have used anthropomorphic mascots and branding to create emotional connections with consumers. The...

Apple to Jumpstart Siri With Advanced AI, Enabling Voice Control of Apps
Artificial Intelligence // May 31, 2024

Apple is gearing up to give its digital assistant, Siri, an artificial intelligence-powered upgrade, potentially posing a challenge to Amazon’s dominant Alexa. The Cupertino-based tech giant is working on a new system that will allow users to control individual app functions using voice commands, marking...

Interviews & Exclusives
Paying for Alexa? Amazon’s Big Bet on AI-Powered Voice Services

August 28, 2024
Amazon’s is planning an artificial intelligence (AI) overhaul for Alexa. Set to launch in October, the upgrade will reportedly transform the free voice assistant into a paid subscription service, according to the Washington Post, potentially reshaping the eCommerce giant’s customer engagement strategy. This move comes amid increasing regulatory scrutiny and industry-wide debates on AI integration […]

Waiting for Alexa: When Will Amazon Strike Up the AI Conversation?

May 22, 2024
Someday — and it may be soon — conversations with Amazon’s automated voice assistant Alexa may cost money. Amazon has been clear about its intentions to charge a subscription for a tiered Alexa service...

Amazon Puts Alexa in the Driver’s Seat, Walmart Revs Up Package Delivery

November 24, 2023
Amazon and Walmart are revving up their engines with initiatives set to hit consumers by the year’s end or the start of 2024. The projects go full throttle on transportation...

With Hyundai Deal, Alexa Helps Amazon Link Commerce to Connected Cars

November 22, 2023
With the recent news that Amazon is partnering with Hyundai, the conventional wisdom might be to say: Amazon sells pretty much everything else across its platform, and as part of its...

Quick Reads
Amazon Picks Anthropic to Power Alexa 2.0

August 30, 2024
Amazon is turning to Anthropic’s artificial intelligence (AI) model Claude to power the revamped version of its voice assistant, Alexa, according to sources familiar with the matter. The new version of Alexa, called “Remarkable,” is set to be released in October and will utilize generative AI to answer complex queries. Amazon plans to charge a […]

Report: Amazon Nearing Launch of Alexa Paid Tier

July 23, 2024
Amazon reportedly plans to launch a paid tier of Alexa as soon as this month. The paid tier will offer a version of the voice assistant that has been dubbed...

Apple to Jumpstart Siri With Advanced AI, Enabling Voice Control of Apps

May 31, 2024
Apple is gearing up to give its digital assistant, Siri, an artificial intelligence-powered upgrade, potentially posing a challenge to Amazon’s dominant Alexa. The Cupertino-based tech giant is working on a...

Amazon to Change How Alexa Developers Are Paid

April 10, 2024
Amazon will stop paying developers to create applications — called Skills — for its voice assistant Alexa. This will end an offering that has been available to developers since 2017...