BELOW SUPERNAV drop zone ⇩

Amazon announces a ‘more conversational’ Alexa, thanks to AI

MAIN AREA TOP drop zone ⇩

MAIN AREA TOP drop zone ⇩

BestReviews is reader-supported and may earn an affiliate commission. Details.

Amazon Devices Event: a flood of new gadgets released

“Alexa, look up a recipe for tomato soup.”

“Alexa, add milk to my shopping list.”

“Alexa, order more paper towels.”

Amazon’s voice assistant is already powerful, with a wide range of productivity-boosting capabilities that can help you with all kinds of tasks around the house. But they’re about to get even better — at this year’s Devices Event, Amazon unveiled AI-powered Alexa updates and a whole line of new gadgets that will make your home smarter than ever before.

What’s new with Alexa?

One of the biggest updates is that Alexa is getting smarter and more conversational, thanks to the power of generative AI. Amazon is rolling out new voice assistant features based on a large language model it custom-built and optimized for voice interactions. It’s made for the things Amazon knew Echo users love: getting real-time information, controlling smart home devices and features, and maximizing home entertainment.

The new, AI-powered Alexa isn’t available just yet, but soon, U.S. customers will be able to preview its capabilities by saying, “Alexa, let’s chat.” Talking to Alexa using this new feature will feel more natural and conversational, and customers should notice a marked improvement in Alexa’s ability to reason, understand their intent and analyze complex requests.

Amazon’s voice assistant is already powerful, but it’s about to get even better.

Some other new features that are coming with the Alexa update include:

  • Eye Gaze Mode: This will let customers with speech or mobility disabilities perform pre-set Alexa actions without using voice or touch.
  • Call Translation: This will translate Alexa audio and video calls in real time in 10 languages, including English, Spanish, French and Portuguese.
  • Alexa Emergency Assist: This is a hands-free safety service.

New Echo gadgets to go with Alexa’s new features

Best All-New Echo Show 8

All-New Echo Show 8

The third generation Echo Show 8 features improved audio with spatial audio, room acoustic sensing, and noise reduction technology, as well as a built-in smart home hub for seamless compatibility with your other gadgets. It’s faster and has a larger display than previous models.

Best Echo Pop Kids

Echo Pop Kids

Echo Pop Kids is made for kids to harness the power of Alexa, with built-in parental controls. Stream kid-friendly songs, set timers or alarms, call approved contacts and chat with Disney-themed voice assistants.

Best Echo Frames and Carrera Smart Glasses with Alexa

Echo Frames and Carrera Smart Glasses with Alexa

For those who want to take the power of Alexa on the go, there’s Echo Frames. You can play the perfect music or podcast, make a call without looking at your phone, check in with your home’s smart devices and more — all while going about your busy life.

All Amazon new devices and updates

Fire TV updates

Echo updates

  • Echo Hub: An easy-to-use control panel for your smart home devices.

Fire tablet updates

  • All-new Fire HD 10: With a 10.1-inch Full HD display, octa-core processor, 3 gigabytes of RAM and 13-hour battery life.

Kids devices updates

Smart home updates

Want to shop the best products at the best prices? Check out Daily Deals from BestReviews.

Sign up here to receive the BestReviews weekly newsletter for useful advice on new products and noteworthy deals.

Christina Marfice writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.

Tech

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed

Site Settings Survey

 

MAIN AREA MIDDLE drop zone ⇩

Trending on NewsNation

AUTO TEST CUSTOM HTML 20241119133138

AUTO TEST CUSTOM HTML 20241202111905

MAIN AREA BOTTOM drop zone ⇩

tt

KC Chiefs parade shooting: 1 dead, 21 shot including 9 kids | Morning in America

Witness of Chiefs parade shooting describes suspect | Banfield

Kansas City Chiefs parade shooting: Mom of 2 dead, over 20 shot | Banfield

WWE star Ashley Massaro 'threatened' by board to keep quiet about alleged rape: Friend | Banfield

Friend of WWE star: Ashley Massaro 'spent hours' sobbing after alleged rape | Banfield

Clear

la

54°F Clear Feels like 54°
Wind
1 mph WSW
Humidity
92%
Sunrise
Sunset

Tonight

Partly cloudy this evening, then becoming foggy and damp after midnight. Low 49F. Winds light and variable.
49°F Partly cloudy this evening, then becoming foggy and damp after midnight. Low 49F. Winds light and variable.
Wind
3 mph NNW
Precip
7%
Sunset
Moon Phase
Waxing Crescent