TechCrunch Industry News Amazon says 97% of its devices can support Alexa+
Jan 13, 2026
Amazon reveals that a staggering 97% of its devices can support Alexa+, a new venture into generative AI. This upgraded system boasts expressive voices and AI agents to handle tasks like ordering food or hailing rides. With a rollout already reaching over a million users, the potential for widespread adoption is on the horizon. Experts weigh in on whether Alexa can maintain user engagement and establish itself as a foundational assistant in the AI landscape. Exciting partnerships and integrations are set to expand Alexa's ecosystem further.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Alexa Plus Will Run On Most Amazon Devices
- Amazon says 97% of devices it ever shipped can support Alexa Plus, leveraging its existing hardware footprint.
- Daniel Rausch argues that device ubiquity and Alexa familiarity position it as a foundational AI assistant in the home.
Alexa Plus Is Designed As An Ambient Agent
- Amazon sees Alexa Plus offering expressive voices, world knowledge, and AI agents that act on users' behalf.
- The company is betting on ambient voice presence in the home to drive AI usage versus specialist assistants.
Staged Rollout Prioritizes Prime Members
- Amazon has rolled out Alexa Plus gradually, with over one million users by last June and now tens of millions eligible to opt in.
- The company is prioritizing availability to Prime members before a full public launch.