Owners of Amazon’s Echo smart speakers in the UK are set to receive an AI-powered upgrade that could reshape interactions across the smart home.
Branded Alexa+, the update equips the assistant to manage connected devices more intelligently, follow multi-turn interactions, and integrate seamlessly across apps, browsers, and home automation systems.
Amazon launched Alexa+ in the U.S. in 2025, positioning it as a next-generation assistant designed to deepen engagement across smart home ecosystems and digital routines.
At CES in January 2026, the company unveiled Alexa.com, a browser-based interface bringing the full capabilities of Alexa+ to desktops, complementing the redesigned mobile app with an agent-forward design.
According to Amazon, since launch, tens of millions of U.S. users have engaged twice as much in conversations, made three times more purchases, and requested recipes five times more frequently. “
Alexa.com combines deep information with real-world actions—from managing calendars and controlling smart homes to planning meals and making reservations,” the company said.
“We’re excited about the potential that new modalities will add to Alexa+, and there’s much more to come with the capabilities and experiences we have planned,” said Panos Panay, SVP of Devices & Services at Amazon.
Alexa+ is now available on Alexa-enabled devices, Alexa.com, and the Alexa mobile app. In the U.S., it costs $19.99 per month, while Prime members receive access at no additional cost. For the UK rollout, Alexa+ will cost £19.99 per month or be included at no extra cost for Prime members, who currently pay £95 annually. New Echo devices will have immediate access, while owners of older hardware must sign up online.
From a smart home and IoT perspective, Alexa+ could change the way consumers interact with connected devices. Persistent context, multi-device integration, and generative AI enable more sophisticated automation, including cross-device routines, home security alerts, and coordinated scheduling across family calendars. Analysts note that support for open standards such as Matter will be critical for interoperability and adoption across a fragmented smart home ecosystem.
The assistant’s agentic capabilities allow it to complete tasks ranging from controlling lights and appliances to making reservations, ordering food, and assisting with meal planning. By extending Alexa+ beyond voice-controlled hardware into mobile and web interfaces, Amazon is seeking to make its AI assistant a central hub for both consumer IoT and everyday digital workflows.
Nonetheless, early consumer feedback in the U.S. has been mixed. While some users praise the assistant’s conversational style and ability to handle complex queries, others report slower responses, inaccuracies, and disrupted routines.
One Reddit user said, “Besides the voice change, I noticed Alexa’s responses now have a 1–2 second delay compared to the immediate responses from the old version.” Another added, “Alexa+ wants to carry on a conversation with you. She literally responds to everything… just do what I asked and STFU.”
