成人X站

Amazon announced a new version of this week, enhanced with generative AI. It聽promises to give the voice assistant more personality, the ability to gauge a user’s tone and even plan romantic dates.

Unlike the previous version, which was free on any Alexa-enabled device, the updated Alexa, now called “Alexa+,” will require a monthly subscription fee of $19.99. However, Prime members, who already pay for a subscription that includes free delivery and other benefits, will have access to Alexa+ at no additional cost.

MyNorthwest related: Data privacy at center of lawsuit against Amazon

Jake and Spike approach smart devices very differently

Spike O’Neill, co-host of “The Jake and Spike Show” on 成人X站 Newsradio, said that he is a “sworn opponent” of smart listening devices.

“I know they’re coming, but I call them ‘spies,'” he said. “They are true, unwelcome, unwanted intrusions, uninvited intrusions into my world.”

Co-host Jake Skorheim said Alexa may be trying to become a companion.

“I know that Alexa has a ton of amazing capabilities, but in my house, it鈥檚 been relegated to a timer I use when I send my kids to time-out,” he said. “I find I鈥檓 also constantly having to tell my kids to stop talking to Alexa. They have an app on the device that allows you to hear fart noises. I think it鈥檚 actually called, fart noises. My kids are enamored with this specific capability for obvious reasons. I am not so happy about it. Overall, it is nice to be able to quickly ask for the forecast.”

Amazon Alexa needs boundaries

Spike believes boundaries should be put in place with systems like AI.

“I don鈥檛 think there鈥檚 any way to stop or even slow the advancing inclusion, or intrusion of digitalization into our lives, and if we don鈥檛 actively try to put limits on that encroachment it will grow beyond our control,” he said. “I hope my position is more than just an ‘old guy’ longing for a simpler time, and someone who honestly sees that potential loss of self-control and privacy we willingly surrender for greater convenience. People who are living alone, you know elders, seniors, elders, can be helped by these devices.”

Jake said Alexa has a button that shuts off the camera, but Spike said he doesn’t trust that.

“I can tell it to be silent,” he said. “I can get a little button to make it silent. It’s got to still be listening to me.”

Benefits of Amazon Alexa+

During a media event in New York City, Amazon executives showcased the new features of the ten-year-old digital assistant, aiming to increase sales and user interaction with Alexa-enabled devices.

According to the company, Alexa+ can engage in more natural, human-like conversations and learn more about users, such as their dietary preferences or allergies, the more it is used.

“I鈥檓 not just an assistant, I鈥檓 your new best friend in the digital world,” Alexa+ stated during an onstage demonstration.

At the event, Panos Panay, Amazon鈥檚 senior vice president of devices & services, highlighted other new capabilities of the voice assistant, including creating study plans, texting a babysitter, and calling an Uber for a friend. Additionally, Alexa can now retrieve videos from Ring cameras, such as checking if a user’s dog was walked, and remember handwritten recipes, emails and other shared documents.

More from MyNorthwest: Return-to-work roadblocks: Amazon employees air frustrations

‘Smarter than ever before’

“She鈥檚 smarter than she鈥檚 ever been before, but she鈥檚 also approachable,” Panay remarked.

Alexa is integrated into products like smart speakers, Amazon鈥檚 Fire TVs, and earbuds. The Seattle-based tech giant launched its popular voice assistant in 2014 alongside its first Echo device, which responds to voice commands.

Amazon plans to launch 鈥渆arly access鈥� for Alexa+ in the U.S. next month, initially available only in English and starting with users who own or purchase the latest Echo Show devices, which display Alexa responses on screen. Eligible users who opt in will see Alexa+ functioning across compatible devices, as well as on their web browser and app. The company intends to roll out the update internationally and to more devices in phases. Some new features are designed specifically for products with screens.

Alexa+ will not be available on certain older Echo models, but Amazon says that owners of those devices can continue using the original assistant.

Contributing: The Associated Press; Bill Kaczaraba, MyNorthwest