On February 27, 2025, Amazon unveiled its next-generation voice assistant, Alexa Plus, at a press conference in New York City. This major upgrade promises to revolutionize how we interact with our smart homes, blending generative AI with natural language processing to create a more intuitive and seamless experience. Jennifer Pattison Tuohy, a seasoned smart home reporter who has been testing connected gadgets since 2013, was among the first to get hands-on with Alexa Plus. She shared her insights from the event, highlighting how this new iteration of Alexa feels more conversational and capable than ever before.

What makes Alexa Plus stand out? The voice assistant introduces several groundbreaking features designed to make smart home management easier and more natural. One of the most notable upgrades is its enhanced natural language understanding. Gone are the days of rigid, specific commands. Now, you can say something like, “Bring the lights up in here and set to a warm glow,” and Alexa will understand exactly what you mean. This level of sophistication eliminates the need for precise phrasing, making interactions feel more human-like.

Another standout feature is context-aware responses. Alexa can now handle multiple commands in one go without needing the wake word repeatedly. For example, you can ask it to dim the lights, adjust the thermostat, and play your favorite playlist—all in a single sentence. This multitasking capability streamlines daily routines, saving time and effort. The new voice-controlled smart home routines are equally impressive. Using natural language, you can create custom routines like a “Good Morning” sequence that includes an alarm, music, and smart light adjustments.

The event also showcased upgrades to the Echo Show interface, which now boasts a more tablet-like design. Scott Durham, an Amazon representative, explained that the new UI is cleaner, more customizable, and supports features like Map View for easier device management. Ring camera integration also allows for smart video searches, making it simpler to find specific footage. The updated interface is launching first on the Echo Show 15 and 21, with plans to bring it to the Show 8 and 10 later. Jennifer noted that the performance felt smoother, and the larger widgets made navigation more user-friendly.

For those who love spending time in the kitchen, Alexa Plus introduces a suite of cooking controls. Aaron Rubenson, another Amazon representative, demonstrated how Alexa can now assist with recipes, automatically setting timers for cooking steps, adding ingredients to shopping lists, and even suggesting substitutions for missing items. This feature is a game-changer for home cooks, offering a hands-free way to manage meal prep.

Pricing and availability were also announced during the event. Alexa Plus will be available for $19.99 per month, but Amazon Prime members will get it for free. Early access begins in late March 2025 for U.S. users with Echo Show 8, 10, 15, and 21 devices. The upgrade will eventually expand to other Echo devices, Fire TVs, and Fire tablets.

Jennifer Pattison Tuohy described Alexa Plus as a significant leap forward in voice assistant technology. Its ability to understand natural language and manage smart home devices more intuitively could make it an indispensable part of daily life. As smart homes continue to evolve, Alexa Plus is poised to lead the charge, offering a more human-like interaction that simplifies routines and enhances convenience. Whether you’re adjusting your lights, cooking dinner, or managing your morning routine, Alexa Plus is ready to make life a little easier.

This isn’t just an upgrade—it’s a glimpse into the future of smart home automation. With its advanced features and seamless integration, Alexa Plus is set to redefine how we interact with technology in our homes.