In the least surprising messages, the general director of Amazon, Andy Jassa, revealed that the company discovers ways to bring ads to Alex Plus, its up-to-date AA generative voice assistant. While conference connection After a report about earnings in the second quarter of Jaszy, he said that “there will be possibilities because people are involved in more multi -functional conversations [with Alexa Plus]In order for advertising to play a role to help people find a discovery, as well as as a lever to increase revenues. “
Basically, people will talk to Alexa, so there will be more ways to push ads in them. He also suggested that Alexa Plus, which is currently free for Prime members, but will cost $ 19.99 per month without Prime, can one day cost more. “When we still add functionality [there] There may be an element of subscription beyond what is today – he said.
Given the Department of Amazon devices and services, including Alexa and Echo, apparently fought for earning money, Jaszy is looking for ways to do his new thing, Alexa Plus, more profitable. The burden of members without prieimów 20 USD per month may sound like one way. But who will pay $ 20 when you can spend USD 15 for Prime and get Alexa Plus, as well as all basic benefits?
ADVERTISING is an obvious path, because ads already exist on Amazon Echo devices with ordinary Alexa on board. These include full -screen echo show displays that appear randomly and cannot be abandoned.
Another way in which Alexa pushes the ads is the “by the way” function, which attracts suggestions to answer after the inquiry. They often require encouraging to buy something from Amazon.
When Amazon announced Alexa Plus in February, I asked the head of the PANOS PANY equipment and services whether “by the way” and advertising on the full screen would remain. “I don’t think many these changes,” he said, adding that advertising models on devices such as echoes are designed to reduce costs for customers.
I have been testing Alexa Plus for several weeks and I have not seen any ads or I did not receive any “on the road”. But the assistant is still in the beta of early access and it looks like this new Alexa will have new ways to push ads. But I really want it not to be.
As for what it could look like, in 2022 Amazon said that he developed the function of customers of Alex’s query, which would allow brands to send their own answers to questions that people asked Alexa, such as “How can I remove animal hair from my carpet?” Alexa Plus, with its older, more helpful personality, would be an ideal platform to ensure this type of sponsored result. But this will not reduce if Amazon manages to make Alexa plus “the best personal assistant in the world”, which is a designated goal of Jaszy. Why should someone use an assistant who receives remuneration for pushing specific products?
One of those higher levels for Alexa Plus Jaszy indicated that it could be a version without advertising, How TechCrunch First speculated. Amazon did it exactly with the best video, creating a higher price, a level free than advertising and running everyone in commercials. But anyway, Alexa will really have to prove her value if you are going to pay for new opportunities.
Based on my initial tests of Alexa Plus, this is not a point where I can convey my daily tasks and duties, as I would do if I could ever afford to employ a real personal assistant. But there is potential.
There is no doubt that generative artificial intelligence will change the way we use digital voice assistants, and Amazon has the advantage. In fact, he launched a renovated assistant with a greater number of conversational natal abilities, which neither Apple nor Google seems close. Alexa Plus is also one of the few generative services powered by AI that can take actions in real life.
Whether people will be ready to pay for AI functions is still being tested. OpenAI, Google, Anthropic and others are currently downloading different levels of access to their more advanced AI-CHATBOT tools. As Alexa’s user for many years, I would consider paying for Really Good Alexa, who does what I ask without a doubt, has all the functions that Amazon promised, and never shows me advertising. However, what I know for sure that I do not want to be chattier and the products pushing at me in my home.