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Amazon has made Alexa+, its generative AI-powered upgrade to Alexa, free for all Prime members. The assistant, built using Anthropic's large language models and Amazon's Nova AI suite, is accessible through Alexa-enabled devices, Amazon's new tablets, a mobile app, and the alexa.com website. Non-Prime users can subscribe separately to Alexa+ or try a limited free version via the app or website.
New York venture firm Inspired Capital, founded by Alexa von Tobel and Penny Pritzker in 2019, has closed a $450 million fourth fund, pushing its total assets under management to nearly $1.4 billion. The firm invests in about 10 early-stage companies annually, writing checks of $1 million to $15 million, and has produced 12 unicorns and more than 10 exits across its first two funds, including MosaicML's $1.3 billion sale to Databricks.
Amazon Echo devices always listen for their wake word, but users can mute the microphone entirely using the mic-slash button on top of the device, which triggers a red light when active. Alternatively, users can adjust data retention settings in the Alexa app under Alexa Privacy to choose how long voice recordings and transcripts are kept, including options to delete them by voice command on supported devices.
A flashing yellow light on an Amazon Echo device signals that Alexa has a pending message or notification, a feature introduced in 2017. Users can clear it by asking Alexa questions like 'What notifications do I have?' and can navigate multiple alerts using commands such as 'next' or 'repeat'.
A troubleshooting guide outlines steps for fixing frequent Amazon Alexa problems, including setting up Voice ID when the assistant misunderstands speech, enabling Brief Mode or a Brief personality style to reduce wordy replies, changing the Wake Word if it activates accidentally, and grouping multiple Alexa devices by room so audio plays from the correct speaker. Each fix is accessed through settings in the Alexa app or by giving Alexa specific voice commands.
Engadget's review describes the Alexa Tablet 12 Pro as a full Android tablet that defaults to Amazon's own apps—Kindle, Luna, Prime Video, Audible and Silk—while still allowing access to Google apps and the Play Store. The home screen includes an Alexa+ chat widget and a Google search widget, and the device reportedly handles video and Dolby Atmos audio well for its size.
The Arlo Video Doorbell 2K is currently being sold for $49.99, a $30 reduction from its regular price. The device offers a 180-degree field of view, 2K video resolution, night vision, two-way audio, motion alerts, and Alexa compatibility.
Amazon has discounted its Echo Dot Max smart speaker by 25%, bringing the price down to $89.99. The device is pitched as a compact Alexa speaker with stronger bass and fuller sound compared to earlier Dot models.
Apple unveiled HomeView, a $299 smart home hub with facial recognition and an AI-enhanced Siri. Amazon replaced its Fire tablet line with three new Alexa-branded tablets starting at $500 that emphasize voice control and on-screen intelligence features, while Microsoft introduced an AI-chip-powered Windows laptop priced from $2,599.
At its Welcome Home event in New York, Apple demonstrated HomeView, a smart home interface that manages devices entirely through the Apple Home app, without requiring separate third-party apps for setup or control. A CNET reporter watched an Apple representative pair and register a new smart home device on both a phone and the HomeView display in real time.
Amazon has launched new tablets built around its Alexa assistant, following up on the failed Fire Phone experiment from 2014. The devices reportedly reflect lessons Amazon learned about why the Fire Phone did not succeed, according to the commentary.
Amazon has introduced four new Alexa Tablet models, ranging from a $229.99 8-inch version to a $679.99 12 Pro model. The flagship 12-inch, 2800x1840 display uses a new Corning-partnered 'Nanomatte' coating designed to cut glare while preserving sharpness, and the tablets run full Android with Play Store access alongside Amazon's own apps.