Alexa+ launches to take on ChatGPT (www.techradar.com)

Amazon has launched Alexa+, an upgraded web-based version of its voice assistant, positioning it as a competitor to leading AI chatbots like ChatGPT and Gemini. This development moves Alexa beyond mere voice commands, allowing users to manage tasks, plan meals, and organize their lives through a more complex and interactive interface available at Alexa.com. The company reports significant user engagement, with twice as many conversations and three times the purchases compared to legacy interactions, highlighting its potential as a robust life-management tool. What distinguishes Alexa+ from other AI assistants is its ability to integrate personal context with actionable suggestions. For example, users can request customized meal plans that not only generate recipes but also manage grocery deliveries while syncing with family calendars. This functionality, coupled with its accessibility across various devices—over 600 million Alexa-enabled units globally—aims to make Alexa+ a more everyday, practical alternative for users. Amazon is betting that by blending the conversational elements that users enjoy in chatbots with the familiar organizational capabilities of Alexa, it can capture a wider audience and gain traction in the competitive AI landscape.