Amazon is set to unveil a new conversational Alexa during a media event on February 26, with press invitations dispatched yesterday.
According to insider reports from Amazon, this revamped Alexa will utilize generative AI, significantly enhancing its capabilities and increasing the pressure on Apple to upgrade Siri …
Conversational Alexa Being Unveiled on Feb 26
While official details are scarce, it is evident that the upcoming “Alexa-focused” event will introduce generative AI functionalities, as confirmed by Reuters citing company executives.
This AI service is expected to handle multiple prompts in sequence and even act as a user’s “agent,” managing tasks on their behalf without direct input. This marks a significant departure from the existing version, which typically addresses one request at a time […]
The new Alexa will remember user preferences, enhancing its ability to suggest music or restaurants. Users will also be able to issue multiple commands during a single session, such as adjusting a hamburger order before it’s finalized for delivery, according to sources.
The upgraded Alexa will be compatible with all current devices.
A report from last year hinted that the new Alexa might be powered by Anthropic, a statement echoed by Reuters.
Currently, it’s uncertain how many users will access the new version initially. Reuters mentions that it will be available at no charge to “a limited number of users” at first, with plans to introduce it as a subscription model priced between $5 to $10 monthly.
Users opting out of the subscription will still have access to the existing version, which will be rebranded as Classic Alexa.
Significantly Raises Pressure on Siri
Apple device users are accustomed to expressing dissatisfaction with Siri’s limited abilities, and Echo users share similar sentiments regarding Alexa. As discussed previously, although Alexa boasts a capacity for thousands of functions, its practicality often falls short.
A truly conversational Alexa that fulfills the expectations associated with chatbots like ChatGPT would transform Amazon’s smart assistant and heighten the urgency for Apple to enhance Siri significantly.
Fully Conversational Siri Not Expected Until 2026
Currently, Siri has acquired additional capabilities through the initial phase of Apple Intelligence, albeit very limited in nature.
A notable update is anticipated in April, with iOS 18.4 introducing features like on-screen awareness and “app intents.”
Onscreen awareness allows users to make requests referencing visible content, enabling Siri to comprehend commands accordingly. For instance, if your sister shares her new address via iMessage, saying, “Add this address to her contact,” will prompt Siri to act without requiring further clarification.
Implemented through App Intents, iOS 18.4 will empower Siri to execute hundreds of new task actions without needing to launch the respective apps.
More impressively, Siri will complete these tasks across different applications. For instance, users might ask Siri to locate a specific photo, apply edits, and save it to a specific folder in the Files app, all through voice commands alone.
However, the anticipated generative AI update for Siri isn’t expected to debut until iOS 19, and even then, access will be limited initially. Bloomberg reports that the functionality may not be available until spring 2026.
In the long run, the wait could prove worthwhile due to Apple’s commitment to privacy. Nevertheless, the lengthy delay may draw considerable criticism for Apple, especially following the launch of the new Alexa.
Photo by Jan Antonin Kolar on Unsplash
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