Alexa Plus is getting an AI update to handle more complicated instructions
Amazon is launching an update to its Alexa Plus assistant that will allow it to connect to smart home devices in new ways. With the update, which is currently in preview, Alexa Plus can link up with tech from Bosch, Delta, Ecovacs, iRobot, Yale Home, Whirlpool, Tapo, Eufy, and others, while automatically routing requests to the correct device. In an example shared by Amazon, a person with a supported washing machine can say, "Alexa, my kid's soccer jersey could use a deep clean
Amazon is updating its Alexa Plus assistant to handle more complicated instructions by connecting to a wider range of smart home devices from multiple manufacturers. The update allows Alexa Plus to automatically route requests to the correct device and navigate their settings, such as selecting a specific washing machine cycle based on specific instructions. Amazon is adopting an open-source standard called the Model Context Protocol to make it easier for device makers to integrate with Alexa Plus, which will enable more brands to offer new capabilities that previously were not supported. This expansion matters because Alexa Plus currently only performs tasks with a limited number of third-party services, so these new integrations will significantly increase what the assistant can do.
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