I asked Alexa Plus to tackle my to-do list — it mostly failed
I asked Alexa Plus to tackle my to-do list — it mostly failed Alexa Plus’s AI agent can navigate websites and book things for you, but it needs to verify its dates. One of the best features of Amazon’s new Alexa Plus is that I don’t have to “speak Alexa” anymore. I’ve been testing the […]
24 hours with Alexa Plus: we cooked, we chatted, and it kinda lied to me
24 hours with Alexa Plus: we cooked, we chatted, and it kinda lied to me There’s a new AI in the house. I’ve waited two years to try out the new Alexa, which was first announced way back in 2023, and this week I finally got access to Alexa Plus (not organically – I did […]
The New York Times’ first generative AI deal is with Amazon
The New York Times' first generative AI deal is with Amazon The New York Times’ first generative AI deal is with Amazon The New York Times has struck a multi-year AI licensing deal with Amazon that will bring its “editorial content to a variety of Amazon customer experiences,” the outlet announced on Thursday. Under the […]
Amazon claims its ‘constantly inviting’ new customers to Alexa Plus
Amazon claims its 'constantly inviting' new customers to Alexa Plus Amazon claims its ‘constantly inviting’ new customers to Alexa Plus Yesterday, Reuters ran a story with the headline “Weeks after Amazon’s Alexa+ AI launch, a mystery: where are the users?,” in which it detailed its difficulty locating first-hand accounts of the AI-upgraded assistants’ use online. […]
How tariffs will change your gadgets
How tariffs will change your gadgets First things first, some exciting news: The Vergecast has been nominated for a Webby Award! This one means a lot to us, especially because itâs an award you get to vote on. Weâd be so grateful if youâd go vote for us once, or 40 times, or however many […]
Alexa Plus just launched in early access, but it’s missing some features
Alexa Plus just launched in early access, but it's missing some features Alexa Plus just launched in early access, but it’s missing some features The Echo Show 8 is one of the devices Alexa Plus is currently available on. Amazon has officially launched its AI-powered Alexa Plus – but it’s only available to a “small […]
Amazon is shutting down the option not to send Echo voice recordings to the cloud
Amazon is shutting down the option not to send Echo voice recordings to the cloud Amazon is discontinuing a feature that allowed users of some of its Echo smart speakers to choose not to send their voice recordings to the cloud. According to an email the company sent to users that was posted on Reddit, […]
All this bad AI is wrecking a whole generation of gadgets
All this bad AI is wrecking a whole generation of gadgets The new Siri was supposed to make the iPhone 16 a huge upgrade. It didn’t. The onrushing AI era was supposed to create boom times for great gadgets. Not long ago, analysts were predicting that Apple Intelligence would start a âsupercycleâ of smartphone upgrades, […]
With Alexa Plus, Amazon finally reinvents its best product
With Alexa Plus, Amazon finally reinvents its best product Amazon’s Panos Panay announced Alexa Plus last week, representing a renewed focus on software for the company’s troubled consumer electronics division. The biggest surprise at Amazonâs press conference last week was the lack of hardware announcements. Traditionally, Amazon announces dozens of new gadgets at its events, […]
The high stakes for AI Alexa
The high stakes for AI Alexa Amazon has been trying to make virtual assistants happen for more than a decade. Alexa is, by many definitions, wildly successful, but it has so far failed to become the kind of omnipresent, omnipotent helper the company imagines. (It has also, by all accounts, failed to become a compelling […]