Alexa+ comes to the Amazon Music app

On Tuesday, Amazon unveiled that its advanced AI assistant, Alexa+, is now integrated into the Amazon Music app for both iOS and Android devices. This innovative feature is currently accessible to all Amazon Music subscription tiers but is exclusive to users enrolled in the Alexa+ Early Access program. To utilize Alexa+, users can simply tap the designated 'a' button located in the lower right corner of the app and pose their questions using the microphone on their mobile device. This new assistant aims to revolutionize the way users discover music by fostering a more conversational interaction. Unlike its predecessor, which handled only basic commands, Alexa+ is crafted to engage in more natural dialogues. Users can delve into specific inquiries, such as an artist's influences or the deeper meanings of their lyrics. The assistant can even help identify a song by recalling partial lyrics or the film it was featured in. Furthermore, Alexa+ can curate personalized playlists based on unique requests, like, "Create a playlist of 2010s hits that keep me energized, starting with a track from Nicki Minaj," or even quirky queries such as, "What song would impress my 13-year-old daughter without looking desperate?" Initially announced in February during Amazon's hardware showcase, Alexa+ is positioned as a pioneering consumer-focused AI tool. It can also execute tasks for users, including reserving tables at restaurants and ordering groceries. Although still in its nascent phase and not yet widely accessible, Alexa+ has already reached over one million users. Impressively, Amazon reported that users of this new feature are exploring music three times more than they did with the original Alexa, while those seeking recommendations are listening to approximately 70% more tracks. This development may serve as a strategic response to Spotify's recent incorporation of ChatGPT, showcasing Amazon's commitment to enhancing its AI capabilities within the music streaming landscape. The Amazon Music app has already introduced several AI-driven features, including weekly AI-generated playlists, AI-assisted searches, and a new feature called 'Explore,' designed to provide insights about favorite artists.