Amazon has spent a good part of 2024 working on an update for Alexa. Rumors last month said the tech giant was looking to implement AI technology into its assistant, allowing it to compete with companies like ChatGPT.
Now, as part of a new report, Reuters recently spoke to “eight current and former employees who worked on Alexa,” giving them an idea of what the future update could bring. These sources claim that the project, “known internally as Banyan,” consists of two versions of Alexa.
The first voice assistant, and Amazon's main focus, is called “Remarkable Alexa.” It is supposed to be the smarter of the two with generative AI features. According to Reuters, it would be able to perform multiple tasks from a single message. like writing a short email and requesting delivery.
Insiders say Amazon is also looking to improve the smart assistant's conversation skills. You won't have to repeat the name “Alexa” repeatedly while giving instructions, for example.
Apparently, the remarkable Alexa will be able to create routines automatically without the direct participation of a user, as it will pay attention to their daily routine. For example, if the assistant hears your alarm clock ringing in the morning, it will turn on your coffee maker. “Amazon also reportedly aims to boost” home automation.
Reuters sources claim that Alexa will connect to “smart devices” that can be controlled using voice commands. In another example given, you could tell the AI to “turn on the porch lights every day at 8 pm.” The report says customers will need to purchase “additional Alexa-enabled devices” to make whole-home control possible.
Potential price
Please note that the new Alexa will not be a free update. Amazon plans to launch Remarkable Alexa as a monthly add-on for Prime memberships, although the price is still up in the air as it could cost $5 or $10. With a Prime subscription, people could earn a total of $19.99 to $24.99 per month.
It's worth noting that sources criticized the extra charge and questioned whether people were willing to pay for something that's already free. What's more, there may not be a “special link to Amazon's $139 per year Prime membership.”
There is very little information about the second version of Alexa. The only thing that is known is that it will serve as a replacement for the “classic Alexa”, which is the current version, and will also have artificial intelligence.
Pressure
Reuters claims there is a lot of internal pressure at Amazon headquarters to get the Alexa revamp right. Their sources say the project “represents a 'desperate attempt' to revitalize the service.” Alexa has never turned a profit in all its years, and its status in the industry has been affected by the rise of generative AI.
Amazon is pushing employees to launch Remarkable Alexa sometime in August, but don't get too attached to that launch window. The release window, as well as the final price, could change or the project could be canceled at any time. It all depends on how well development progresses in the future.
As with every leak, take this information with a grain of salt. Be sure to check out TechRadar's list of the best Alexa speakers for 2024.
