Alexa+, Amazon's upgraded virtual assistant, launched recently but lacks many promised features. Reports indicate that numerous functionalities will not be available for at least two months. Users cannot order takeout from Grubhub, identify family members with cameras, or use several other simple tasks. Currently, Alexa+ can order Ubers, identify objects, and draft emails. While available to Amazon Prime members, it incurs a $20 monthly fee for non-members and is restricted to devices with screens, such as the Echo Show series. The delays are attributed to the features not meeting Amazon's quality standards.
If there's one thing you can count on with AI tools is that they'll launch without most of the promised features. It happened with Apple Intelligence. It happened with Galaxy AI. Now, it's happening with Alexa+, Amazon's AI-heavy upgrade to its virtual assistant.
The tool is officially available but it doesn't do a whole lot, according to reporting by The Washington Post. The paper reviewed a number of internal company documents that noted the delay of many features.
These documents suggest that a bunch of tools won't be available for two months or longer. Alexa+ users won't be able to use the platform to order takeout on Grubhub or identify family members via camera to remind them to do chores.
The company says these delays are because the features do not 'meet Amazon's standards for public release.' So what can Alexa+ do right now? I haven't gotten a chance to fool around with it, but the early access page suggests customers can use it to order an Uber, identify objects and draft emails.
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