Leaked ‘Remarkable Alexa’ is Amazon’s costly answer to Microsoft Copilot and ChatGPT Plus
You could have to pay as much as $10 per month to use the new AI-powered Alexa.
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
What you need to know
Microsoft CopilotandGoogle’s Geminimay soon have a new competitor from another tech giant. Amazon is reportedly working on a revamped Alexa that will create AI-generated news summaries and help people with everyday tasks using the power of AI. Known internally as “Remarkable Alexa” or “Project Banyan,” the new Alexa will launch in October 2024, according to internal documents obtained by and reported on byThe Washington Post.
Unlike the current Alexa, the new Alexa is said to have a subscription cost that could be as high as $10 per month. That fee could help offset the costs of developing and maintaining Alexa. Earlier this year when reports first emerged about an AI-powered Alexa, it was revealed thatAmazon’s device division lost $25 billionbetween 2017 and 2021. Those reports were shared alongside alleged doubts by Amazon employees regarding a paid version of Alexa.
The Washington Post reports that pricing and branding of the new Alexa will be determined by Amazon management later this month.
Unlike several other AI-powered assistants, the new Alexa will be willing to summarize political articles, according to The Washington Post. If that is the case, the new Alexa would launch just weeks before the US presidential election. The “Smart Briefing” feature, which generates summaries of news stories by using AI, would likely receive quite a few queries in the weeks leading up to election day.
🎒The best Back to School deals📝
The AI-powered Alexa will also be able to find recipes and have a chatbot designed for children, according to the documents covered by the Washington Post. Conversational shopping tools are also said to be a feature of the revamped assistant.
Will Alexa cost money?
While the new version of Alexa will reportedly require a paid subscription, the “classic” version of Alexa will remain free. Alexa is useable through a wide range of devices, including Echo hardware, smart televisions, and household appliances. At one point, you could install Alexa on a Windows 10 or Windows 11 PC. Since March 2023, searching for Alexa in the Microsoft Store will now show you a way to install the assistant on your PC. You can work around this, however, by using a direct link to theAlexa listing in the Microsoft Store. I installed Alexa on my PC today and it works as you’d expect, though I can’t guarantee how long that will be the case.
Get the Windows Central Newsletter
All the latest news, reviews, and guides for Windows and Xbox diehards.
Sean Endicott is a tech journalist at Windows Central, specializing in Windows, Microsoft software, AI, and PCs. He’s covered major launches, from Windows 10 and 11 to the rise of AI tools like ChatGPT. Sean’s journey began with the Lumia 740, leading to strong ties with app developers. Outside writing, he coaches American football, utilizing Microsoft services to manage his team. He studied broadcast journalism at Nottingham Trent University and is active on X @SeanEndicott_ and Threads @sean_endicott_.