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| Photo/Reuters |
Amazon is set to host a launch event on Tuesday, where it is anticipated that major updates to its device lineup will be revealed.
The event is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. ET and will include announcements from Panos Panay, who manages Amazon's extensive devices and services division.Invitations sent to media and analysts earlier this month hinted at the presence of an Echo smart speaker, Fire TV, Ring doorbell button, and a Kindle e-reader, indicating what might be unveiled during the event.
Amazon's CEO Andy Jassy mentioned in a Bloomberg TV interview earlier this year that a "completely new lineup of devices" compatible with Alexa+ would be launched this fall.
Reviews for the company's enhanced assistant, powered by generative artificial intelligence, have been varied.
Jeff Finlay, a 61-year-old IT manager from Ohio, gained access to Alexa+ in late June after applying for the beta program in March. Finlay, who owns seven Echo devices, expressed that he believes Alexa+ has "deteriorated some of the functions I was accustomed to using."
He noted that Alexa+'s weather forecasts appear less informative compared to those provided by the original Alexa assistant, known as Big Sky.Wired reported in July that the new Alexa seems to be a more skilled and natural conversationalist, which "is a relief after years of Alexa's robotic tones."
However, TechCrunch pointed out in August that the service tends to make errors and falters on certain requests, making it feel "very much like a beta product."