Amazon is bringing the brand new AI-powered Alexa Plus to a variety of its current Echo units — however the improve will skip lots of the earliest fashions. The vast majority of the corporate’s first-generation Echos gained’t get help, based on the Alexa Plus FAQ page, although Amazon says they may proceed to work with the usual Alexa.
Alexa Plus gained’t help “sure older technology Echo units,” such because the first-generation Echo, Echo Dot, Echo Plus, Echo Faucet, Echo Spot, and Echo Present; the second-generation Echo Present gained’t help it, both. Amazon spokesperson Kristy Schmidt confirmed that’s the full record of units. In that case, that also leaves many early Echo units that can work with Alexa Plus.
Meaning I’ll be capable to ask Alexa to ebook a restaurant reservation by way of my Echo Flex, the quirky modular Echo speaker that plugs straight right into a wall outlet. And folks can nonetheless get an AI-generated tune piped by way of audio system they’ve related their microphone-only Echo Inputs to. And when you’ve got an historical first- or- second-gen Echo Present 15 or newer Echo Hub, these will apparently get entry to the AI-enhanced Alexa, too. Schmidt confirmed that every of these will probably be appropriate.
Maybe it’s a bummer that a number of the older Echo units gained’t use AI to ebook reservations, monitor ticket costs, or generate faux songs. However no less than they’ll nonetheless be capable to do the outdated Alexa stuff, like flip in your lights or let you know the climate. And given rumors in regards to the battle Amazon has had getting Alexa Plus to work proper, that may be a great factor, no less than for some time.