Amazon has launched its next-generation digital assistant, Alexa+, in canada. The company unveiled the new Assistant in February, and it’s been making its way to more people ever since. Canada is the first region outside the US to get access “Amazon Alexa” to Amazon’s upgraded Alexa As with the version launched in the US, users can interact with Alexa+ in natural language. For example they can say “I’m cold,” and the assistant will turn on the heat in their home. If they say “It’s dark”, Alexa+ can turn on the lights for them.
In Amazon’s announcement, Alison Siperko, Alexa manager for Canada, said the assistant understands Canadian culture and regional expressions. It understands things uniquely Canadian, such as the country’s hockey “Amazon Alexa” team and musicians. Additionally, affiliate links to services used by Canadians. It can make restaurant reservations for them through OpenTable, connect them to CBC News and help them find and buy items from its e-commerce platform. Ciperco said the assistant will “soon” support Yelp, Uber Eats, Suno and TripAdvisor in the country.
Amazon Alexa
Alexa+ is able to adapt its tone to everyone in the family, suggesting different routines based on the user. It might suggest meditation, for example, to someone who has spent a long day at the office. And it can keep in mind whether someone “Amazon Alexa” has dietary restrictions when recommending a restaurant. Alexa+ can help users shop by creating grocery lists for them, taking into account dietary restrictions, as well as finding the best value items by comparing all product features and summarizing reviews on Amazon Canada.
Amazon’s upgraded assistant is free in its early access phase, though those interested in trying it out now will need to purchase the new Echo Show 8, Echo Show 11, Echo dot Max or Echo Studio. After initial access, it will be free for Prime subscribers, while everyone else will have to pay $28 CAD a month for it.