Alexa: The Ex-Friend or the New Best Buddy?
Picture this: a house full of Alexa-powered gizmos – Echoes that brag about being the smartest speaker in the room, Dots that dot the wall like tiny coins, a Spot that pretended to be a mini robot in the bedroom, and an Echo Show that tried to coach us while we cooked. Even a Fire TV was there, lighting up in the bedroom, and a Fire HD tablet, which was a graveyard for all the apps we never used.
The Great Fire & a Fresh Start
When a March 2024 blaze turned the place to ashes, our life got a dramatic rewrite. All those little friends, along with the house, were gone. But with the ashes came choice: rebuild and maybe upgrade to a smarter living space. The old question nagged – does Alexa still deserve the crown? Time to test.
Testing Alexa in Real Life
- Stubborn Echoes: How well do they handle quick changes? Ask it to “turn off the lights” in five minutes and see if it keeps up.
- AI Queries: Slip in a casual question like “what’s the weather supposed to look like next Friday?” and watch how the assistant’s responses evolve.
- Difficult Tasks: Call “Amazon, play breakfast news” and judge if the voice distinguishes between a music playlist and a fresh local broadcast.
Why This Matters
When you’re renovating, you want your tech to stay in sync with your new vibe. A smart home isn’t just about fancy gadgets; it’s about how those gadgets make your life smoother, cooler, and sometimes a bit meme‑worthy. This series will share real experiences, no flashy demos – just what works, what fails, and how to choose the right assistant for the new house.
Stay Tuned for the Follow‑Ups
We’ll walk through each device, test its limits, and see if Alexa is the hero you want it to be or an old friend you’re ready to swap. Keep your ears ready!
Alexa needed to catch up
Alexa+ — The AI Upgrade That Makes Your Roomba Feel Guilt
Remember when Amazon’s Alexa was just a friendly voice that could tell you the weather, set a timer, or play your favorite playlist? Those days are more than a decade past. In the ChatGPT‑dominated future, you can now talk to an assistant that not only answers trivia but also creates art, writes poetry, and even does online tasks for you.
What’s New? The Alexa+ Megamashup
- Generative AI power – the brain behind Alexa+ pulls from models like Anthropic and Amazon’s own Nova, making it model‑agnostic (choose your favorite model for any task).
- Smart scheduling – looks up your calendar, anticipates when you’ll need a coffee break, and reminds you before you forget your next meeting.
- Ring camera recap – instead of scrolling through endless footage, Alexa+ summarizes what actually happened, so your dog can finally be blamed for the needle missing.
- Creative mode – ask it to generate a comic strip, a meme, or a dog‑centric birthday card. We’re still working on the dinosaur & spaceship remix.
- Home control revamp – turn off lights, lock doors, or preheat your oven while you’re busy—no more clicking the app.
Rollout Status
Amazon said the new Alexa+ began a slow rollout in March 2025 and has since reached “many millions” of users. Stay tuned for more instances where Alexa+ might decide to make you a cup of tea when it feels like it.
Bottom Line
Gone are the days when Alexa was just a simple voice. Now, it’s a full‑scale assistant that remembers your preferences, processes files, and helps you live an easier life—all while cracking a joke or two. Amazon’s next evolutionary step? Making us feel like we’re living in a sci‑fi sitcom, with our digital valet taking care of everything, and maybe a little extra magic on the side.
Alexa+ – The Smart Home’s New Best Friend
Amazon isn’t just talking about adding a snappy voice to your kitchen; they’re rolling out a whole ecosystem that lets Alexa do the work for you. Picture this: you ask the assistant to book a dinner table, hail an Uber, snag concert tickets, and even whip up a grocery list that gets delivered right to your doorstep. That’s the kind of “agentic” AI Amazon’s pushing into everyday life.
Getting Started – The “Alexa+” Setup
- Download the Alexa App – Even if you’ve been an Alexa veteran, you’ll need to freshen up to the new version.
- Subscribe to Alexa+ – The added perks aren’t free, but they’re worth it if you’re into a hands‑free lifestyle.
- Pair Your Smart Devices – Line up your lights, thermostat, and other gadgets so Alexa can take the reins.
Testing the Basics
Once you’re all set up, let’s put the new features to the test. Here’s a quick rundown of what only Alexa+ can handle:
- “Hey Alexa, reserve dinner for two at The Lakeside Bistro at 7 PM.”
- “Alexa, schedule an Uber to pick me up at 5:30.”
- “Book two tickets for the Beachside Jams concert.”
Why This Matters
With agentic AI, you’re not just telling the assistant what to do; you’re letting it integrate with Amazon’s own grocery service to create and manage your shopping list automatically. Imagine telling Alexa, “I need milk, eggs, and cereal,” and then watching those items magically find their way into your cart and deliver without you lifting a finger.
In short, Amazon is turning your home into a fully app-powered hub that’s ready to handle all the little errands we’d otherwise have to do ourselves.
Next Steps – Delving Deeper
In the next part of this series, I’ll switch the focus from the basics to the truly capable parts: testing agentic AI features and exploring how Alexa+ talks to and controls your smart home gear.
Stay tuned, and get ready to let Alexa do the heavy lifting while you sit back and relax.
Setting up Alexa+ on an Echo Spot
Alexa+ Test on the Brand‑New Echo Spot
Hey tech lovers! I recently got lucky with an Amazon beta invite and snagged a fresh Echo Spot powered by the Alexa+ skill set. With a new home on the horizon, I had a chance to put this little smart speaker to the ultimate test.
Why I Was Test‑Driven
- No Smart‑Home Device Yet: For the past year I’ve been living in an Airbnb, and the only way to hook up smart gadgets was through the host’s network—hardly ideal for a tech experiment.
- Curiosity Overload: I needed to prove whether the buzz around Alexa+ was all hype or actually useful.
Game Plan & First Impressions
I started by asking Alexa+ about the weather, music playlists from my Spotify Premium account, and even tried a few “fun” commands that usually make people laugh. Turns out, the new Echo Spot was pretty quick on the keys.
When I said “Play my typical chill vibes,” I didn’t even get fan‑service lyrics; it just streamed my curated playlist seamlessly. And when I ventured into “recall the film hints my roommate recommended,” Alexa+ quickly suggested those titles—no human fallback needed.
Will Alexa+ Live Up to the Hype?
Here’s the honest truth: Alexa+ folded some of the major claims Amazon’s been making into reality. If you’re wondering whether this voice assistant can truly make life easier than a standard Alexa, my answer is a confident “yes.” It’s quick, it’s clever, and it can do a fair chunk of what Amazon promised—all while keeping your Amazon music preferences in mind.
Stay tuned while I keep testing this setup as I move into my new casa. The next stage will involve making the room truly smart and seeing if Alexa+ can stop me from losing my socks at runtime!
Getting Your Alexa Spot Up and Running
Step‑by‑step: From QR Code to “Welcome, Master”
Setting up the new Spot is a breeze. Just scan the QR code in the Alexa app and watch it take care of the rest.
- Automatic Wi‑Fi Connection: No more flipping between the device’s hack‑er network and your own. Spot plugs straight into your home Wi‑Fi.
- Free Upgrade Offer: On the first screen, you get a friendly invite to upgrade to the new Alexa+ for free. If the upgrade feels like a bad decision, you can always downgrade within seconds.
- Quick Intro Video: A short clip shows how Alexa learns from you and tells you how to talk to her.
- Google Syncing: Hook up your Google account so Alexa can peek at your inbox and calendar.
What Happens After Linking?
After connecting your Google account, you might see a blank page—nothing strange, only a glitch. Closing the window reveals a simple confirmation: Account Linked. (Heads up: If you’re using the iOS 26 developer beta, that blank screen could be our mischievous beta’s doing.)
All set! Your Spot is now ready to chat, remind, and keep your day on track. Enjoy the convenience of a smarter home.
My Alexa+ Adventure: A Play‑by‑Play
Picture this: I’m at the Alexa+ dashboard, and the first thing I do is pick the goodies I want to enjoy. OpenTable, Ticketmaster, Uber, and Thumbtack—basically the VIP club of apps. I click every checkbox like a nerdy superhero, then head to the next screen to unlock the permissions.
That “One‑by‑One” Permission Highway
It’s a little like a “choose-your-own‑adventure” book but with a techy twist. For each service, I get a pop‑up asking what data they need. Think of it as a personal interrogator who’s sure you want to know precisely why they’re asking. The good thing? I’m the boss of my own data!
Why I Dig It
- Transparency – I see exactly what each app wants before I say “yes.”
- Control – It feels like a privacy‑first playground where I decide what to share.
- Minimal fuss – Even though it’s a tad tedious, it’s one click at a time, so it doesn’t feel like a marathon.
What Happens Next?
After I’ve signed off on each permission, Alexa+ gets the green light to tap into the services. And while the process takes its sweet time—especially as more apps shuffle into the mix—witnessing the granular permission steps gives me a reassuring sense of control and peace of mind.
Alexa+ & Fodor’s Travel Planning: The Future of Your Digital Concierge
Good news for wanderlusters and busy bees alike! The latest Alexa app screenshot shows that Fodor’s travel-planning power is now part of the Alexa+ lineup—without any pesky permission requests. That’s right, you can sip your morning coffee and let Alexa magic up a custom itinerary without you having to grant permissions.
What’s On the Horizon?
But the fun isn’t stopping there. The screen also hints at a trio of new services that are about to land in your Alexa world:
- Uber Eats – Hungry? The robot knows where to deliver.
- Grubhub – Dining at home or at the hotel? Alexa’s got you covered.
- Vagaro – Want to book a spa day or a local tour? Just ask, and the system will find the best match.
Imagine this: while you’re dreaming about a tropical escape, Alexa is already scrolling through the best local restaurants and booking your spa treatment.
Why It Matters
This integration means you won’t have to toggle between phone, laptop, or apps. All the travel details, dining options, and even wellness appointments are whispered right into the Alexa’s ears, ready to be turned into tangible plans. The biggest win? No extra permissions—so your data stays tight.
A Few Friendly Reminders
- Banditry-free: No permissions means no black-and-white data snooping.
- Smart aid: The app is like a personal concierge loaded into your own pocket.
- Future-proof: Where Uber Eats and Grubhub hint at the next-level service, Alexa+ is paving the way for seamless hospitality integration.
In short, Fodor’s is partnering with Alexa+ to make travel planning breezier than a kite in a gentle breeze. Keep those eye on the next update—fast, fresh, and full of flavor!
Alexa App: A UI Nightmare in 2024
Ever tried navigating the Alexa app and felt like you’re doing an extreme scavenger hunt? Yeah, that’s the vibe.
What’s Missing?
- No splash of color: The app is basically a gray cookie stuck on a white plate.
- Old‑school navigation: No familiar bottom tabs, no side drawer – just a maze of buttons.
- Too-packed home screen: “What should I do?” seems to be the app’s own poll, but the list goes on forever.
First‑Time Confusion
Setting up a music service feels like a secret level hidden behind a blindfold.
- Profile icon? Nope. There’s no simple “Settings” toggle.
- Scroll‑down to “Preferred service providers”: That’s where you pick your news, calendar, and email, not your tunes.
- Missing music link? It’s like a service that’s been deleted since you first installed the app.
Why It Matters
Without a clear path to link your fav music app, Alexa’s voice is a regretful echo—a swipe left on what could have been a smooth user journey. The interface’s flat aesthetic also drags down the overall UX, making everyday tasks feel like a pointless thrill‑seek adventure.
Bottom Line
Alexa the app still needs a fashion makeover. Color, intuitive navigation, and a straightforward setup for music will turn it from a tech blunder into a smart assistant for everyone.
How to Get Your Voice to Play Music on Alexa
If you’ve ever tried to get Alexa to start a playlist, you might have hit a wall. But don’t worry—here’s a quick, fool‑proof way to jog that app into action.
Step One: Hit the Hamburger Menu
- Find that tiny three‑line icon at the bottom of the screen.
- Tap it and let the menu slide into view.
Step Two: Spot “Music & More”
From the options that appear, select Music & More. That’s the gateway to your tunes.
What Exactly Is “More”?
We’re not entirely sure—podcasts, audiobooks, or maybe something even cooler. One thing’s certain: spell‑check it and hit play; Alexa will figure it out.
Pro Tip: Keep It Simple
Once you’re familiar with the menu layout, you’ll be able to navigate on a dime. A little practice and you’ll have Alexa humming your favourite hits in no time!
Alexa’s Audiobook Dilemma
Picture this: you’re streaming your favorite tunes on Spotify, your podcasts travel seamlessly, and your music playlist is rocking. But when it comes to audiobooks, Alexa just hit a snag.
Setting Preferences at a Glance
- Spotify – Your go‑to for music
- Other streaming services – Pandora, Amazon Music, Apple Music, and more
- Audible – the one you want as the default for audiobooks
So far, so good. You click Audible in the list and… boom! you’re greeted with a cryptic message:
“You’ve reached the end of Alexa’s knowledge. Just kidding. This skill no longer exists. Click here to go back.”
It’s as if Alexa whispered: “I’m officially out of the picture.” The frustration? All you can do is wonder if removing the dead drop would be the sensible move. Or maybe, just maybe, Alexa is hinting at a new mysterious skill that our ears haven’t yet heard.
What’s Up With the Broken Skill?
Audible was once a shiny gem in your Alexa settings. An abandoned art piece, it’s now a relic. If you want a backup plan:
- Open the Alexa app on your phone.
- Navigate to “Skills & Games.”
- Search for “Audible” and try reinstalling.
- Alternatively, consider setting a different audiobook service like Libro.fm or Google Play Books as your new default.
Until Alexa revamps the skill, you’ll have to keep an eye on updates or reach out to Amazon’s support. They might just be in the middle of a minor shuffle that’s preventing Audible from playing your “To Kill a Mockingbird” marathon.
Bottom Line
Being tech-savvy means expecting some downtime. Alexa’s glitch reminds us that even the smartest devices sometimes need a reset. Keep calm, try reinstalling, and if all else fails, swap the default with another audiobook platform. After all, every good story deserves a listening home.
Trying Alexa+ – A Mobile App Adventure
Picture this: I’m diving into the new Alexa+ experience, not because I’m about to throw a tantrum at the app’s quirks, but because I’ve gotta see what it’s all about.
The Audiobook Hustle
Right now, I’m focusing on the live‑action phone functions. Those audiobooks? I’ll get to them eventually. Trust me, the tech waits for no one.
Putting a Full Stop on the Series
Quick heads‑up: during these tests I’ve shared some bits of my personal life with Alexa. Don’t worry—I’m keeping it low‑key. If I mention something like a “child’s school” it’ll just be a placeholder in brackets. I’ve also tweaked dates, times, and numbers, just to keep the data on the safe side and prevent anyone from piecing together my schedules or household routines.
- “Child’s school” – [placeholder]
- Changed dates: March 4 → March 12
- Time tweaks: 2:45 pm → 3:15 pm
By the way, I’m keeping everything light‑hearted and human‑like here—no stiff, AI‑generated feel. I hope this reads like a real conversation and keeps the hilarity flowing. Happy listening!
Can Alexa+ manage the family’s schedule?
Alexa’s Calendar Bungle (and a Side‑Story)
Family Calendars: The Everyday Superhero
Busy households—especially the ones with kids—rely on a trusty family calendar to keep everything from playdates to doctor visits straight. Our own squad uses Google Calendar: on phones through the native app and on Mac with Fantastical. It’s a seamless, shared hub for classes, meetings, errands, you name it.
Alexa’s Promise
Amazons claims Alexa+ can make “your day a breeze”—summarize, add events, spot conflicts, all in sass‑free sync. The promise sounded great, so I gave it a whirl.
Getting Things Done… with a Tit‑for‑Tat
- “Can you add a meeting on August 6 at 2 p.m.?” — I tried. She cut me off.
- “What would you like to title this meeting?” she chirped. I’d just been launching the command, not typing a title.
Ha! Annoying, but not a complete catastrophe. She’d let me check the schedule comfortably: “What’s on my calendar today?”—no repeat of “Alexa” needed to keep asking follow‑ups. The bad news? A tiny lag sometimes, making the whole thing feel like waiting for a pizza that’s a minute behind.
When Alexa Missed the Connection Instructions
Curiously, I asked Alexa where to find the history of my voice chats so I could track my commentary. She answered: “Look in the app’s Settings, under More, then find Alexa Privacy or Review Voice History.” Spoiler: none of those options existed. I finally spotted the logs on the “Recent Chats” tile on the app’s home screen.
Alexa, seriously—know your own location! The little hiccups aside, she’s still a solid tool for juggling the family calendar. It just needs a tiny tweak to smooth out the “interruption” vibe.
Alexa, remember this
Alexa’s Memory Mishap: A SkyMiles Saga
What if your smart speaker turned out to be a bit too trusting with your personal data? That’s the story I pulled apart yesterday, with a touch of emoji‑style humor to keep it light.
Step One: The Request
- Me: “Alexa, can you remember my Delta SkyMiles number?”
- Alexa (cheerfully): “Sure thing! What’s the number?”
Step Two: The Confusion
I didn’t have to pause—I just gave a quick nod to my phone. Alexa then rolled a little too many words into the privacy policy:
Alexa (voice): “I’ve added that to Remember This in the Alexa privacy section of the app. Also, keep in mind that anyone who has access to any of your Alexa devices can use their voice to hear its contents.”
Eyes wide.
The Re‑try
- Me: “Alexa, can you remember my SkyMiles number?”
- Alexa (again): “Certainly! What’s the number? OK, saved it.”
She sounded like a robotic robot who had never had to pause. My brain was still scrambling.
On to the Retrieval
Curiosity burned, so I asked her the standard question:
- Me: “What’s my SkyMiles number?”
- Alexa (confusingly): “Six hundred fifty-two million, four hundred eighty-six thousand…”
Long story short: Alexa turned my eight‑digit number into a ●$6.5 ×10^8$ million series of digits, which of course felt less useful than the snappy “6-5-2-4-8-6.”
Lesson Learned
We learn that Alexa’s “remember” feature is a bit clearly pitched for verbal memes, not the precise, quick peek you’d want at the airport. The next time you hand over personal info, keep an eye on the privacy panel… or at least on the ventriloquist voice.
Thanks, Alexa! Keep it short next time.
Alexa, read my email
Alexa+ Is Now a Document Detective
Picture this: your inbox is a battlefield of school newsletters, notification emails, and that ever‑sneaky “best‑practice” email from your child’s teacher. Alexa+ now claims it can read those PDFs and text files you upload straight in the Alexa app—or even drop them into an email address that’s just an extension of your Amazon account.
How to Give Alexa a Hand
- Open the Alexa app and tap the “Upload” button. Drop your PDF, doc, or even a scanned letter.
- Or, just slam it into alexa@alexa.com (yes, that’s the email you’re already using to order a pizza from A1 A2!).
- Signal Alexa with a simple vocal cue: “Alexa, summarize the recent email from school.”
A Real‑World Test
I sent a recent school note from my kid’s elementary school. The message is like a welcome‑back banner for the 2025-2026 year, announcing an “Early Start Day” orientation on August [date] and a parent info session the same night. Regular classes kick off on August [date].
Did She Pull It All Out?
Alexa recited the gist back in a clear, organized summary: “It’s a welcome‑back letter, with orientation details and deadlines for everyone.” No doubt—she’s got her reading muscles flexed!
What About Grade‑Specific Info?
I followed up: “Was there anything for [grade]?” Alexa replied, “I don’t see any grade‑specific info in that email. This one’s all about the big picture for every student.” It’s a quick and honest answer, no guessing.
So, if your inbox is drowning in a gaggle of school sentences, Alexa+ might just be the lifeguard you need. And hey, if Alexa can play the “document summarizer,” maybe it’s time to rethink those old Gmail forwarding filters to give her more room to roam.
Alexa’s Calendar Conundrum
Picture this: you’re at your side‑by‑side Alexa, sipping coffee, and you’re like, “Hey, Alexa, any dates rolling up the calendar?”
Alexa’s Quirky Answer
Alexa, in her charmingly literal tone, recites back the whole list of dates you just sent her in the email.
Time to Add ‘Em!
You ask her to throw these dates into your calendar. Alexa, ever so busy (oh, she’s juggling a whole semester and a little activity on the side—she’s a multitasking machine!), says she’ll check the hiss‑hush of your schedule. She tries to tick them in but mixes up your request. She thinks you want the current activity timeline, not the email list you fed her.
Intermission
You jump in: “No, silly, I want those dates from the email—please, add them.”
Alexa Gets It Right… Sort Of
Finally, Alexa’s “Sure thing!” line reads like a well‑formatted task bill—minus the mail’s richness. She lists three dates that are nearest to today: the Course Correction Request Period, the Early Start Day for new students, and the FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL.
But there’s a snag: the email you sent was a treasure trove of twelve crucial school dates. Nothing from Meet a Teacher Night to the Grand Midyear Graduation was mentioned. If you’d relied solely on Alexa—hence, bet your calendar only had those three events—you’d have missed an entire haul of important school happenings.
Lesson Learned
Even our high‑tech conveniences can have blind spots. One has to double‑check that the full lineup of events goes onto the calendar, not just Alexa’s “nearest‑to‑today” picks.
So, next time you pick your AI buddy up, make sure it knows the whole story, or you might leave the school bus out there.
Alexa, help me save money
Alexa+ Turns Your Amazon Browsing into a Money‑Saving Game
Hope you’re ready for a shopping hack that feels more like a personal fan‑boy than a pricey gadget.
Price‑Tracking Made Personal
Alexa+ promises a neat feature: it keeps an eye on Amazon price tags, so you’re notified when a deal drops. I gave it a spin with two must‑have items—a skin‑care gem and a slick Coach handbag—just to see if the savings were real.
Deals that Make Your Wallet Smile
These aren’t everyday necessities; they’re the types of indulgences you’ll pause on. When the price drops, you’ll suddenly feel a tug to buy.
- Skin Care Delight – one of the best creams that promises a glowing complexion.
- Coach Power‑Bag – the handbag that screams “I’ve got style.”
Why I’m All In
Honestly, I’m a bit of a binge‑shopper, so catching a deal feels like hitting the jackpot. Alexa+ is quietly nudging me to snag those items when they’re cheap, and I’m already checking my bag. If you’ve got a favorite Amazon item you want to stage‑bargain for, give Alexa+ a whirl. It’s just the best way to make online shopping less of a frivolous roulette wheel and a smart, saved‑money fiesta.
Alexa Audits Amazon Deals: The Glare of Unresponsive AI
The Serum Saga
Me: Alexa, I want to know when the Glow Recipe Plum Plumping and Hydrating Hyaluronic Acid Skin Care Serum goes on sale.
Alexa: Just a second… I’ve set up a deal tracker for the Glow Recipe Plum Plumping Serum. I’ll notify you when it goes on sale.
Me: How much is it right now?
Alexa: (silence)
Me: Did you hear me?
Alexa: Checking on that. Yes, I heard you. I’ve already set up a deal tracker for the Glow Recipe Plum Plumping Serum. You’ll get a notification when it goes on sale.
Me: How much is it now?
Alexa: (even more silence)
Me: Okay, I guess we’ll just wait on that one.
The Handbag Hiccup
Me: Alexa, I want to know when the Coach Swinger handbag goes on sale.
Alexa: Certainly, I’ll check that. Got it! I set up a deal tracker for the Coach Swinger handbag. I’ll let you know when it goes on sale.
Me: Is it out of stock in blue?
Alexa: (silence)
Me: Is the Coach handbag I just asked you about out of stock in blue? (Note: It was, per Amazon’s website at the time of the request.)
Alexa: Let me check that for you. (Long pause) I found the Coach Swinger handbag, but it’s currently available in black. The blue option isn’t showing up in the search results, which might mean it’s out of stock. Would you like more details about the available options?
Me: No.
Ultimately, the blue Coach Swinger does appear on the product page—temporarily out of stock—but Alexa only mentioned the black one. A classic case of selective reporting that only leaves you waiting for the sale.
Off to a slow start
A Rough Look at Alexa+
First Glimpse
Right out of the gate, Alexa+ feels like it’s still in beta mode. The assistant tries its best, but you’ll catch it dropping the ball every now and then. Sometimes it’s like it didn’t hear you, or it just ain’t sure what the next step should be.
Non‑Integrative Features
- Out‑of‑the‑Box Tools: The handy gadgets don’t need extra plugins.
- While that’s convenient, you’re left wondering how well Alexa+ will actually navigate the web and get things done on your behalf.
Emotional Tone
It’s a bit like watching a toddler spin a toy: adorable yet a touch chaotic. You keep an eye on it, hoping it’ll refine itself before the launch.
What’s Next?
Stay tuned for the next chapter. I’ll dive deeper into the AI’s abilities and test some of its agentic features to see if the wild half‑finished dream can grow into a reliable helper.
