Alexa Plus Is Here, But Some Features Are Still Missing

Amazon has officially introduced its AI-driven Alexa Plus, but at this stage, it is accessible only to a select group of users, as confirmed by an Amazon representative. The early access page indicates that Alexa Plus does not yet include all the functionalities showcased during the recent devices event. For instance, users cannot utilize Alexa Plus for brainstorming gift ideas, placing grocery orders via voice commands, or accessing the service through a web browser.

Several features are still unavailable, with Amazon stating that they “do not yet meet the company’s standards for public release,” according to The Washington Post. For example, Alexa Plus currently cannot order takeout from Grubhub using conversational context, nor can it identify family members in the home to send them reminders about chores. Furthermore, access to Kids Plus features, such as Stories With Alexa, is not yet available.

At present, Alexa Plus is limited to the Echo Show 8, 10, 15, and 21 devices. The early access page highlights that the assistant can perform tasks like ordering an Uber, recognizing objects, drafting emails, and searching for specific products. However, it appears that more features are on the horizon as Amazon works to enhance the service.

Alexa Plus has the capability to summarize uploaded documents right from the start. However, according to Amazon’s early access page, the option to delete these files is still under development. In the meantime, if you need to get rid of any attachments, you can reach out to Customer Service for help.

First announced in February, Alexa Plus is available for $19.99 per month on most Echo devices, or for free with a Prime membership. You can sign up on Amazon’s website to be notified about early access. As Amazon spokesperson explained, “We’re releasing a bunch of features to start, and we’ll continue to roll out new features in waves.”