The voicebot Alexa is getting an upgrade that Amazon says will enable it to plan travel, book Uber rides, make restaurant reservations, and more.
Amazon released a slew of announcements at a live event on Wednesday about Alexa+. The company is calling it a digital “assistant” that it says is more conversational, smarter, and personalized than the well-known Alexa voicebot that was first released in 2014.
Amazon is launching the product with several travel partners — including Booking Holdings (Priceline and OpenTable), Tripadvisor, and Uber — whose products the bot can access to complete requests.
“Alexa+ will work behind the scenes to seamlessly coordinate multiple services — from making a dinner reservation for two via OpenTable to booking an Uber for your friend to meet you at lunch and texting them your plans,” Amazon said in a blog post.
Alexa follows Siri, which Apple last year redesigned with generative AI. Like tech giants Google, OpenAI, and Meta, Amazon is moving to create an everyday digital assistant that, in addition to other services, can make travel plans. This is the first version of the tech, but it’s a big jump ahead compared to where generative AI was even one year ago.
Accessing Alexa+
Alexa+ is $19.99 per month but is free for all Amazon Prime members.
The product is rolling out in waves in the U.S. over the coming months, starting in the next few weeks. Users with the smart-speaker devices Echo Show 8, 10, 15, and 21 will get the product first.
Along with the more conversational voicebot, Amazon has designed a new digital interface to interact with the digital assistant.
Users will be able to access Alexa+ across compatible Alexa-enabled devices, including Echo devices, phones, and browsers, as well as on the new Alexa app and the new website Alexa.com. And the assistant will remember the context of conversation between devices.
Plan Travel
Amazon said that Alexa+ can share information about travel destinations and give recommendations through partnerships with Fodor’s Travel Guide and Tripadvisor.
Amazon started a pilot last year with Tripadvisor-owned Viator, which gave hotel guests the ability to book travel experiences with Alexa devices in their rooms.
One Amazon blog post showed that a user could ask the bot for hiking recommendations.
Amazon also listed Priceline as a partner and said that Alexa+ will be able to handle “travel arrangements” on users’ behalf. The company did not share examples involving Priceline, and a Priceline spokesperson did not immediately respond with more information.
Book an Uber
Amazon said that Alexa+ allows users to request and book Uber rides with voice alone.
The bot shares wait times, ride options, and fares, which the user can view on the connected device’s screen. And then Alexa can book the ride on the user’s behalf.
Make Restaurant Reservations and Order Takeout
Alexa+ can book restaurant reservations through OpenTable with a simple prompt. Amazon’s example: “Alexa, book a reservation at Corzetti for four on Saturday at 7 p.m.” And the user should be able to share those plans, all without touching a phone.
Users can also order takeout through GrubHub and make modifications. “Just tell Alexa+ what you’re in the mood for and it will automatically match whatever you’re craving with what’s available on a restaurant’s menu and then place the order through Grubhub.”
Find Event Tickets and Schedule a Spa Visit
Alexa+ can search for ticketed events, like sports games and concerts, through Ticketmaster. The bot can also send a notification when the tickets are available or when their price drops to a range the user chooses.
Through an integration with wellness booking app Vagaro, users can ask the bot to book appointments for hair, spa, fitness, and more.
