Apple has faced significant criticism for overhyping Apple Intelligence while underdelivering, and it appears that Amazon is now on a similar path.
Recent reports referencing internal documents suggest that Alexa+, Amazon’s answer to the new Siri, will also debut missing many of its promised features…
The Apple Intelligence Dilemma
Apple made grand promises for a new, conversational Siri experience, but the actual rollout has been far less impressive, essentially amounting to minor enhancements.
The disparity between the expectations set by Apple’s polished marketing materials and the reality of their offerings is so stark that the company had to retract an iPhone 16 advertisement that focused on a feature that doesn’t yet exist. While I won’t delve into every twist and turn of this saga, some recent stories speak volumes:
And Now Alexa+ Faces Similar Issues
Amazon’s presentation for Alexa+ was flashy, with promises of a truly smart and helpful voice assistant.
A demo video showed Alexa securing concert tickets, making restaurant reservations, and messaging a babysitter. “She’s useful,” Panay emphasized, while showcasing what he claimed was a live conversation with the upgraded assistant. The demonstration depicted a natural-flowing dialogue, moving away from the awkward, one-question-at-a-time format many Alexa users know.
However, The Washington Post reports that Alexa+ will also primarily feature non-functional promises when it launches next week.
According to internal documents reviewed by The Washington Post, several features showcased during Amazon’s February event won’t be operational until two months after Monday’s launch, with some taking even longer to be ready. The features that are delayed include the ability to order takeout from Grubhub based on a conversation with Alexa+ about cravings, as well as features for Alexa+ to visually recognize family members and remind them to fulfill specific tasks, such as walking the dog.
So, it appears that the key features presented during the announcement are not yet ready to go.
The article also reveals a concerning privacy issue: while users will have the option to upload documents for Alexa+ to summarize, they will not be able to delete those files from Amazon’s servers afterward. It seems the company anticipates it will take weeks to address this problem.
As a final point, Alexa+ will not be accessible on standard Amazon smart speakers – a recent Echo Show device will be necessary to utilize it.
DMN’s Perspective
This is a complex area.
Technologies like ChatGPT have created a somewhat misleading perception of the capabilities of generative AI. Their responses appear intelligent, informed, and reliable – but they lack those qualities. Instead, they utilize statistical models to determine which words are likely to follow one another, based on an analysis of human language within the relevant context.
Developing an AI system that accurately simulates intelligence in a useful and dependable manner when handling personal data is an entirely different challenge. It has become evident that both Apple and Amazon have promised functionalities that they have not yet been able to realize.
Key Accessories Highlighted
Image: Amazon
