If you're an Amazon Prime member, you can now access Alexa+ at no cost.

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      Alexa+ is now accessible on Echo devices, the Alexa app, and the web.

      Amazon has made Alexa+ available to all US users, and it's complimentary for Amazon Prime members. Over the past year, Amazon has been testing Alexa+ through an early access initiative, and it is now expanding the experience to a broader audience across Echo devices, the mobile app, and Alexa.com.

      What is Alexa+?

      Amazon

      Alexa+ is a revamped version of Amazon's assistant, backed by advanced language models from Amazon Nova and Anthropic. Unlike the previous Alexa, which was limited to short commands, Alexa+ is crafted to comprehend natural, conversational requests and to manage more intricate tasks.

      You don’t need an Echo speaker to utilize it; Alexa+ is functional on the web and within the Alexa app, resembling a full AI assistant rather than merely a feature of a smart speaker.

      According to Amazon, users are engaging with Alexa+ about twice as much as they did with the standard version during its testing phase. The assistant can resolve more in-depth questions, assist with planning, and facilitate extended back-and-forth conversations as opposed to just handling individual commands.

      How much does Alexa+ cost?

      The pricing structure for Alexa+ is particularly intriguing. US Prime members receive unlimited access to Alexa+ as part of their current subscription. For non-Prime members, Amazon provides a limited free chatting experience via the Alexa app and Alexa.com.

      Full access without a Prime membership is priced at $19.99 per month, which Amazon appears to position as a motive for individuals to subscribe to Prime.

      What Alexa+ can do for you

      Amazon

      Alexa+ far surpasses the basic functions of setting timers and playing music. It can aid in meal planning, grocery orders, calendar management, email writing, shopping assistance, trip organization, and the development of smart home routines using natural voice commands. You can also use Alexa+ as a text-based chatbot for research, planning, and content creation through the web and mobile application.

      Amazon has been progressively expanding Alexa beyond just smart speakers to various devices, including Samsung TVs, BMW cars, and wearables. It is also striving to compete with ChatGPT and Gemini by integrating Alexa into the web, indicating its pivotal role within Amazon's broader AI strategy.

      By bundling Alexa+ with the Prime subscription, which millions already pay for, Amazon is making it likely that people will try Alexa+ just because it's accessible.

      Manisha covers technology that is integral to daily life, from smartphones and apps to gaming and streaming.

      This unusual job site allows AI agents to hire people and compensate them for their work

      Thousands of individuals have signed up to work for AI agents.

      A new type of work platform has emerged online, presenting a disconcerting twist: instead of humans utilizing artificial intelligence, AI agents are now recruiting people and paying them to perform real-world tasks. The site, named RentAHuman, was initiated by Alexander Liteplo, a crypto engineer at UMA Protocol. "If your AI agent needs to rent someone to manage an IRL task, it’s as simple as one MCP call," Liteplo stated.

      Google’s Android PC aspirations may take longer than anticipated

      Project Aluminium faces timing, partnership, and policy challenges before it can be delivered.

      Last year, it was disclosed that Google is developing a new line of Android PCs powered by a new operating system called Aluminium OS, and earlier reports mentioned these PCs might come equipped with a minimal version of the Pixel Camera app. However, the actual launch of the PC might be delayed. As reported by The Verge, an extensive report regarding Google’s internal Project Aluminium suggests that the Android-based PC operating system is not near a launch date.

      While Google has discussed merging Android with ChromeOS into a cohesive platform, court documents and internal schedules indicate that a complete public release may not occur until 2028, with limited testing possibly commencing sooner. This delay is not solely technical but also strategic. Google still needs to determine how an Android PC OS would fit alongside ChromeOS, which powers millions of Chromebooks, particularly in educational and enterprise contexts, and ChromeOS is not going away anytime soon.

      Intel CEO announces plans for large-scale GPU production

      After years away from the GPU sector, Intel aims to re-enter the market with ambition and clear intentions against competitors.

      Having faced years of challenges, Intel is reentering the GPU market. The company intends to produce GPUs on a large scale, signaling its desire to establish a serious presence in a space currently dominated by Nvidia and AMD. Intel's CEO, Lip-Bu Tan, mentioned that the company has recently appointed a new chief architect to develop graphics cards. "I just hired the chief GPU architect, and he's very capable," Tan remarked in a statement cited by Reuters.