An advanced version of Amazon's AI-powered assistant, Alexa Plus, has entered early access for a limited number of users. This upgraded iteration aims to enhance intelligence and proactivity through artificial intelligence. However, not all anticipated functionalities are currently available, as some features have been withheld due to quality concerns. Despite this, the launch marks an important step forward in expanding Alexa’s capabilities, though certain issues remain unresolved.

Recently, Amazon unveiled Alexa Plus to a select group of customers. The company stated that only a small subset of users would gain access initially, primarily those owning specific Echo Show devices such as models 8, 10, 15, or 21. While broader availability is expected in the future, several key features demonstrated earlier are absent from this initial release. Internal documents suggest that these omissions stem from Amazon's stringent standards for public deployment, ensuring that only polished features reach their audience.

Among the postponed functionalities are conversational-based food ordering via Grubhub, visual identification of family members for task reminders, generating gift suggestions linked to Amazon purchases, crafting bedtime stories for children, constructing shopping lists tied to retail orders, and engaging in web-based chats with Alexa Plus. Although other aspects were included in the rollout, challenges persist. For instance, one feature allows users to upload various types of documents for summarization but lacks deletion capability, leading to potential confusion when attempting removal.

Amazon staff can assist with deletions upon request, yet they must clarify that complete erasure isn't guaranteed. Such nuances highlight ongoing refinements within the service. Fortunately, fixes addressing these limitations are anticipated shortly, possibly within weeks. Priced at $19.99 monthly unless paired with Amazon Prime membership, which grants complimentary access, interested parties can explore further details on Amazon's dedicated webpage.

Given its current state of development, prospective users might consider waiting before committing financially. As improvements continue during the early access phase, the full potential of Alexa Plus could emerge more clearly over time.