Amazon has launched Alexa+ in the UK, an upgraded version of its voice assistant designed for smart homes and everyday household tasks.
According to Amazon, Alexa+ uses generative AI to understand natural conversation, remember context, and respond in ways that previous versions could not.
The company says it can help manage lighting, heating, entertainment, security, and shopping, making smart homes feel more intuitive and easier to run for homeowners and families.
Article continues belowWhat is Amazon Alexa+?
Alexa+ is an AI-powered upgrade to Amazon’s existing Alexa system.
Amazon describes it as a personal assistant that can understand normal conversation, retain context across interactions, and perform tasks beyond simple voice commands.
It is built on large language models through Amazon Bedrock, and the company says it can handle real-world actions such as booking restaurants, managing calendars, controlling smart devices, and recommending products.
How can it manage your home better?
According to Amazon, Alexa+ can coordinate multiple smart home tech services simultaneously. It is designed to adjust heating, lighting, and music through natural voice commands, and recognise different household members to provide personalised responses.
Amazon also says Alexa+ can anticipate useful moments, such as warming the home before you arrive, starting your coffee machine, or cueing your favourite playlist, which the company calls “ambient AI.”
By combining context, personalisation, and device control, Alexa+ is intended to make smart homes easier to manage without constant attention.
How can you get Amazon Alexa+?
Amazon is offering Early Access to Alexa+ in the UK, free for Prime members during this period. Customers in the UK will access Alexa+ in Early Access in three ways:
- Eligible existing Echo device owners will be invited to join Alexa+ Early Access through a managed rollout process.
- Email Me When Ready (EMWR) gives customers a way to proactively request Early Access.
- Purchasing a new eligible Echo device from March 19th will provide access to Alexa+.
Customers will be notified via email and through device notifications when they have access to Alexa+.
If you already own an eligible device, Amazon says you can sign up at www.amazon.co.uk/newalexa and they will send you an invite to join the early access programme. The company plans to invite hundreds of thousands of customers in the coming weeks.
After Early Access, Amazon says Alexa+ will be free for all Prime members as the newest Prime benefit, complementing other Prime offerings like fast, free shipping, Amazon Photos, Amazon Music, Prime Video, and Prime Gaming.
Alexa+ works on compatible Echo devices, including Echo Show 8, Echo Show 11, Echo Dot Max, and Echo Studio. Users can also access Alexa+ through the Alexa app on mobile phones or directly via a web browser at alexa.co.uk.
