Alexa+ has greater than 100,000 very quiet customers

Amazon has begun what appears to be a really gradual rollout for Alexa+, its new AI-enhanced model of Alexa. However when you’re in search of hands-on impressions from on a regular basis of us who’ve truly tried the brand new Alexa, they’re curiously onerous to search out. 

Throughout Amazon’s earnings name late final week, CEO Andy Jassy informed buyers that “over 100,000” customers are at present testing Alexa+, which Amazon unveiled greater than two months in the past throughout a splashy New York Metropolis press occasion. 

“Persons are actually liking Alexa+ to date,” Jassy reportedly stated on the earnings name.

100 thousand individuals could sound like lots, however as AFTVnews factors out, it’s only a tiny fraction of Alexa’s estimated 100 million-plus lively consumer base, that means the overwhelming majority of Alexa customers has but to strive Alexa+ out for themselves. 

In the meantime, the fortunate few who’ve kicked the tires on the brand new AI Alexa are typically conserving mum about it. 

There have been a number of sightings right here and there, together with at the least one screenshot on Reddit from a consumer claiming to be within the elite group of Alexa+ testers. However particulars have been onerous to come back by, and queries for experiences about Alexa+ experiences have far outstripped any precise hands-on experiences.  

In any occasion, Amazon seems to be transferring extraordinarily slowly—and punctiliously—with its Alexa+ rollout. That’s in distinction to the tone throughout February’s Alexa+ occasion in New York, the place Amazon gave the impression to be giving off “full steam forward” vibes for the brand new AI Alexa. 

On the presentation, Amazon introduced pricing for Alexa+–$19.99 a month, or free for Prime customers—together with phrase {that a} public preview for the brand new Alexa would start in March. Amazon additionally trotted out assured demonstrations of Alexa’s new tips, together with the flexibility to manage good gadgets with pure language queries in addition to buy groceries, guide journey tickets, textual content contacts, recommend recipes, and extra. 

To be truthful, Amazon stated that the preliminary public preview would solely be for a small group, with Echo Present show homeowners getting first dibs. However given the bullish tone of Amazon’s Alexa+ in February, it’s stunning the preview rollout has been this gradual. 

Then once more, all the key tech gamers have been continuing with warning on the subject of revamping their voice assistants with cutting-edge generative AI skills.  

Apple, for instance, has reportedly pushed again Siri’s “conversational” AI makeover till 2027, whereas Google is taking child steps towards changing Google Assistant with Gemini. And let’s not overlook the brand new Alexa’s preliminary reveal method again in September 2023, which was adopted by months of silence and dangerous tidings. 

Perhaps Amazon will shock us once more with a wider Alexa+ rollout within the very close to future, however for now, Alexa’s AI preview stays oddly quiet.