How AI broke the smart home in 2025
How AI broke the smart home in 2025 This morning, I asked my Alexa-enabled Bosch coffee machine to make me a coffee. Instead of running my routine, it told me it couldn’t do that. Ever since I upgraded to Alexa Plus, Amazon’s generative-AI-powered voice assistant, it has failed to reliably run my coffee routine, coming […]
Alexa Plus’s website is live for some users
Alexa Plus's website is live for some users Alexa Plus now has a new home on the web. The Alexa.com website appears to be live for some users. The browser-based home for Alexa Plus, the company’s revamped digital voice assistant, was first announced at the Alexa Plus launch event in February. But until recently, Alexa.com […]
Amazon says Alexa Plus can find that movie scene you’re thinking about
Amazon says Alexa Plus can find that movie scene you're thinking about Amazon has launched a new AI-powered feature for Fire TV that lets you jump to specific moments of a movie by describing the scene to Alexa Plus. The feature, which was previously announced during Amazon’s hardware event in September, works with Prime Video […]
This deal on smart glasses was too good for my husband to pass up
This deal on smart glasses was too good for my husband to pass up You can snag a pair of Amazon’s Alexa-enabled smart glasses for an all-time low price this Cyber Monday. The last thing I need is a new Amazon Echo smart speaker. As The Verge’s smart home reviewer, I currently have a dozen […]
Camera support could be the boost Matter needs
Camera support could be the boost Matter needs The Matter smart home standard is adding cameras to its latest spec. It’s finally happening. Three years after Matter launched, the interoperability standard now includes the most popular smart home devices: cameras. The Matter 1.5 spec, announced today, adds support for all types of video cameras – […]
5 things I love about Amazon’s new Echo Shows — and 3 things I don’t
5 things I love about Amazon's new Echo Shows — and 3 things I don't The Echo Show 11’s new media control center is a nice upgrade. Amazon’s newest Echo Show smart displays launch this week. They’re purpose-built for the new AI-powered Alexa Plus, which comes preloaded in the US. I’ve had a couple of […]
Amazon’s giant ads have ruined the Echo Show
Amazon's giant ads have ruined the Echo Show Full-screen ads have started to appear regularly on Echo Show smart displays. Last week, Amazon launched a major update of its line of Alexa-enabled Echo smart speakers and displays. The redesign – led by former Microsoft design chief Ralf Groene, whom Amazon Devices & Services head Panos […]
I tried Amazon and Google’s new smart home gadgets, ask me anything!
I tried Amazon and Google's new smart home gadgets, ask me anything! The Verge’s senior reviewer, Jen Tuohy, is taking your questions about Amazon and Google’s new devices. Hi! I’m Jennifer Pattison Tuohy (aka Jen), The Verge’s smart home reviewer. I just spent the last week in New York City getting hands-on with the new […]
Here’s where to preorder all of Amazon’s new Alexa devices and when they arrive
Here's where to preorder all of Amazon's new Alexa devices and when they arrive Amazon’s fall hardware event had a little of everything: updated Echo speakers, several Blink security devices, and even a Kindle Scribe with a color screen. Most of the gadgets won’t ship for at least a couple of weeks, if not longer; […]
Alexa Plus is available out of the box on new Echo devices
Alexa Plus is available out of the box on new Echo devices Alex Plus adds agentic capabilities and AI smarts to Amazon’s virtual assistant. Amazon’s AI-powered Alexa is on its way to more homes soon. The upgraded assistant will be available straight out of the box with new hardware announced today. New Echo devices will […]