Today saw Amazon holding a live event featuring their digital assistant, Alexa. During this event, they presented Alexa Plus – a major update to their beloved virtual helper. This advanced AI-driven assistant is set to retail for $19.99, or it will be free of charge for those who have an active Amazon Prime membership.
The revised aide incorporates generative artificial intelligence and logical thinking to assist with various tasks, while Alexa Plus stores personal facts about you for a tailored user experience.
Although the unveiling of Alexa Plus is intriguing, it might be more captivating for our readers to learn about who revealed Alexa Plus instead of what exactly Amazon announced at the event. On stage during the event was Panos Panay, who previously led Microsoft Surface and now heads Amazon’s Devices and Services division.
Audience members who are familiar with him will notice Panay’s energy and passion on stage. He is well-known for taking a genuine interest in the projects he handles, and he tends to be quite expressive when demonstrating them.
To stay informed about the latest happenings at the TechRadar Amazon Alexa event, don’t forget to check out their real-time coverage blog. Additionally, for a comprehensive overview of Alexa Plus, our associates at TechRadar have prepared an in-depth analysis.
Why did Panos Panay leave Microsoft?
For approximately two decades, Panay held a position at Microsoft. He played a crucial role in shaping the Microsoft Surface line of products. In 2023, he unexpectedly announced his departure from Microsoft, an announcement that was made just before a Surface event (where Panay did not participate).
Over the past few years, Microsoft has moved away from developing experimental gadgets. For instance, we no longer see devices like the Surface Studio, Surface Book, or Surface Duo. Instead, the company is concentrating on product lines that have a stronger commercial appeal, such as the Surface Laptop and Surface Pro series.
As a researcher, I found that Microsoft’s decision to shelve more experimental projects and focus less on niche products was the reason behind Panay’s departure from the company.
In my research, it appears that Panay chose to leave Microsoft because of their shift towards prioritizing fewer experimental projects and a reduced focus on niche products.
Although it’s understandable that the revised Surface approach might be considered essential, it falls short in generating excitement among consumers. Previously, I would eagerly await Surface events, filled with anticipation and curiosity about the innovative form factors to be unveiled or how a new Microsoft solution would tackle a challenge.
To clarify, let me say that the newest Surface gadgets are truly top-notch. Our ratings for the Surface Pro 11 and Surface Laptop 7 were both perfect. However, they lack the unique or avant-garde qualities found in earlier Surface devices.
Alexa Plus vs ChatGPT
Amazon ventured into a competitive market by launching an AI-enhanced helper, which is comparable to AI solutions from industry leaders like OpenAI, Microsoft, and Google. I’m eager to find out how their enhanced version, Alexa Plus, performs.
The significance of performance will play a crucial role in determining whether individuals prefer Alexa Plus over rival options, but as of now, it’s hard to gauge this preference since the launch of Alexa Plus is scheduled for the upcoming weeks within the United States.
At this time, it’s not known when Alexa Plus will be available for users outside the United States.
One aspect that stands out immediately is the pricing. Alexa Plus is set at a monthly fee of $19.99, though it might not be a deciding factor for many, considering that its true value may not be fully grasped by a large number of people. However, there’s good news for Amazon Prime members as they will get Alexa Plus at no extra cost.
In October 2024, as reported by Statista, there were more than 200 million Amazon Prime subscribers. This substantial demographic has the opportunity to enjoy Alexa Plus without incurring additional costs.
19.99 dollars per month is comparable to the price range of several other AI-assistant services. However, for individuals who are already Amazon Prime members, Alexa Plus may seem like a complimentary service.
It remains to be seen whether the newly unveiled Alexa Plus by Panay will prove to be as successful as the Surface Pro, or if it will follow in the footsteps of the disappointing Surface Duo.
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2025-02-26 21:39