Amazon has confirmed that its new generative AI-powered assistant, Alexa+, is now supported on 97% of existing Alexa devices. This broad compatibility is a key part of the company's strategy to leverage its massive installed base of over 600 million devices in the consumer AI race against competitors like Google and OpenAI. The move allows the vast majority of users to access the more conversational and capable AI assistant without needing to purchase new hardware.
The upgraded Alexa+ is designed to handle more complex tasks and engage in more natural conversations. The service is also being expanded beyond smart speakers to a new web interface at Alexa.com, allowing for text-based interactions similar to other AI chatbots. This expansion is part of a broader push to make the AI assistant ubiquitous and more deeply integrated into users' daily planning, shopping, and smart home control.