Yesterday,
Reuters
ran a story
With the title ” Weeks After Amazon’s Launch of Alexa+, A Puzzle: Where Are All the Users?,” the article outlined its challenges in finding firsthand reports about the usage of these newly upgraded AI-powered devices online.
The Verge
asked Amazon about the story, and the company has responded to say that the idea that Alexa Plus isn’t available is “simply wrong.”
Here’s the company’s full — and rather strongly-worded! — statement on the matter, provided by Amazon spokesperson Eric Sveum via email to
The Verge
:
It’s incorrect to claim that Alexa+ is not accessible to customers; this statement is untrue. A significant number of customers already have access to Alexa+, and we’re continually adding more who have asked for Early Access.
Sveum also shared the below screenshot of what the email invite should look like.
Alexa Plus is Amazon’s updated version of Alexa enhanced with generative AI, which it
announced in February
is free to Amazon Prime subscribers or $19.99 a month otherwise.
While
Reuters
It doesn’t mention that Alexa Plus isn’t available to customers yet; instead, it cites an analyst who commented, “No one appears to have actual access to it.”
The outlet mentioned that it was unable to locate any actual Alexa Plus users despite extensive searching. They noted having combed through numerous news websites, platforms like YouTube, TikTok, X, BlueSky, along with Meta-owned Instagram and Facebook, alongside Amazon’s own Twitch and customer reviews for Echo devices on Amazon.com. Additionally, they talked to two individuals from Reddit who claimed to use Alexa Plus; however, these persons did not furnish Reuters with concrete proof, nor were their claims verifiable.
Still,
Engadget
reported today
It was shared that a series of emails were sent out on Friday, encouraging Amazon Alexa users to test out Alexa Plus. The source further noted that an Amazon representative mentioned “hundreds of thousands” of clients have already experienced this feature.
Amazon started
rolling out its early access program
To a handful of customers near the end of March, it initially lacked features such as ordering takeout via Grubhub through conversationally driven commands or recognizing relatives and setting reminders for their tasks.
page on Amazon’s website
noted that several features are yet to be launched, such as accessing Alexa Plus via a web browser or on a Fire TV or an Amazon tablet. The firm has indicated that it will prioritize users with specific Echo Show devices over others.
