A redesigned conversational Alexa is anticipated to be showcased during an Amazon media event on February 26, following the distribution of press invitations yesterday.
According to a report from Amazon insiders, this new Alexa will leverage generative AI, enhancing its functionalities significantly and intensifying the pressure on Apple to upgrade Siri…
Conversational Alexa set to unveil on Feb 26
Although details are still scarce, Amazon is officially holding an “Alexa-focused” event, likely to announce features powered by generative AI, as suggested by a Reuters report quoting company executives.
The AI system will handle multiple prompts in succession and, according to executives, act as an “agent” on users’ behalf, executing tasks without direct user input. This marks a significant shift from the current version, which typically addresses one request at a time […]
The updated Alexa aims to remember user preferences for making personalized music or restaurant suggestions and allows users to provide multiple prompts in a single interaction—for instance, adjusting a hamburger order before it’s finalized, sources revealed.
The enhanced Alexa experience will be accessible on all current devices.
A prior report indicated that the new Alexa might be powered by Anthropic, a claim supported by Reuters.
It’s still uncertain how many existing Alexa users will access this new version during its initial rollout. Reuters reports it will first be offered to “a limited number of users” for free, with a longer-term plan to establish it as a subscription service priced between $5 and $10 monthly.
Those opting out of the subscription will retain access to the current version, which will be rebranded as Classic Alexa.
Significantly raises the stakes for Siri
While Apple users frequently express dissatisfaction with Siri’s limited functions, many Echo device owners have raised similar issues about Alexa. Previously, we highlighted that although Alexa claims extensive capabilities, this does not translate well in practical use.
A genuinely conversational Alexa capable of delivering the expected features akin to chatbots like ChatGPT could revolutionize Amazon’s virtual assistant and put immense pressure on Apple to enhance Siri’s functionality.
Fully conversational Siri anticipated by 2026
At present, Siri has acquired a few additional features through the initial phase of Apple Intelligence, but these enhancements remain quite limited.
The next significant update is scheduled for April, with iOS 18.4 expected to introduce on-screen awareness and “app intents.”
Onscreen awareness will enable users to make Siri requests linked to visible content, allowing the assistant to comprehend the context of the commands. For instance, if your sister shares her address in an iMessage, you can prompt, “Add this address to her contact,” and Siri will execute that without needing additional clarification.
With a feature called App Intents, iOS 18.4 will empower Siri to perform numerous app functions without needing to launch those apps.
Remarkably, Siri will also be capable of executing tasks across different applications. For example, users can ask Siri to locate a particular photo, edit it, and save it to a specific folder in the Files app, all using voice commands.
Nevertheless, the advanced generative AI version of Siri is not expected to debut until iOS 19, and even then, its rollout may be delayed. Bloomberg reports that access will not be available until spring 2026.
Ultimately, the wait may prove worthwhile due to Apple’s emphasis on privacy. However, the lengthy delay will likely subject Apple to considerable criticism, particularly with the imminent launch of the new Alexa.
Photo by Jan Antonin Kolar on Unsplash
: . More.
