Amazon has finally brought Alexa+ to India, eight years after the original Alexa launched in the country. The AI-powered assistant is now available to users in India for free, with Hindi and Hinglish support at launch.
Alexa+ is Amazon’s upgraded version of Alexa, built to handle more natural conversations and more complex requests. Unlike the original assistant, it can keep track of context across multiple requests and remember certain information shared by users.
But the more interesting part of the India launch is how Amazon is adapting Alexa+ for the local market. India is the first country where Amazon is integrating Alexa+ with Amazon Now, the company’s quick-commerce service. Users can ask Alexa+ to add products to an Amazon Now cart while continuing a conversation with the assistant.
For example, users can ask Alexa+ to add multiple items to the cart without repeating the context in every request. The order is not placed automatically, though. Alexa+ requires a separate voice confirmation before completing the purchase.
This makes the integration more than just another way to search Amazon. The assistant can follow the conversation and build the cart as the user adds items.
Alexa+ can understand and respond in Hindi and Hinglish from day one, with Amazon saying that more languages will be added later. The assistant can also handle follow-up questions without requiring users to repeat the context. It can answer questions, control compatible smart home devices and help with supported tasks and services.
Alexa+ can also remember certain user preferences and information shared during conversations. Amazon says this information can be used to make future interactions more personalised.
Alexa+ is available to everyone in India at no additional cost during its early access period. Amazon has also confirmed that Prime members will continue to get Alexa+ at no additional cost after early access ends.
The assistant is available on supported Alexa devices, while Amazon’s newer Fire and Echo devices come with Alexa+ built in.
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