Amazon may be gearing up to release a next-gen, AI-powered Alexa experience, according to Reuters.
Per the outlet’s report, Amazon plans to preview an upgraded version of Alexa, the company’s smart home assistant that runs on a number of first- and third-party devices, at an event on February 26. The revamped Alexa is said to be able to respond to multiple commands in sequence, in contrast with the current iteration, which generally handles only a single request at a time.
The new Alexa will initially be available for a limited number of users for free, Reuters reports, although Amazon has been considering a $5 to $10 monthly fee. The company will reportedly continue to offer what it’s calling “Classic Alexa,” the version of Alexa widely available today, in either case.
Amazon’s new Alexa is said to have been beset with development challenges. At one point, it struggled to set timers properly.
