Amazon says 97% of its devices can support Alexa+

At the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, Amazon revealed that 97% of the more than 600 million devices it has shipped are capable of supporting its upgraded AI assistant, Alexa+. This new generative AI platform enhances Alexa with more expressive voices, access to extensive world knowledge, and AI agents that can perform tasks like ordering food or calling an Uber. Amazon has begun rolling out Alexa+ to over one million users, with plans to expand availability primarily to Prime members, though no exact full release date has been announced. Amazon’s strategy leverages Alexa’s widespread presence in homes and strong brand familiarity to position it as a foundational AI assistant amid growing competition from other AI chatbots like ChatGPT and Claude. Alexa’s natural voice interface and continuous user engagement are seen as key advantages for growth. Additionally, Amazon highlighted its recent acquisition of Bee, an AI wearable that records conversations and provides insights via text or voice chat, which will eventually integrate more closely with Alexa while maintaining its own distinct identity