Amazon’s AI Assistant Arrives Online with Alexa.com

Amazon Unveils Alexa+: The Future of AI Assistance

Amazon has officially launched its revamped digital assistant, Alexa+, extending its reach to the web. This announcement was made at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, along with the unveiling of Alexa.com, designed for Early Access users to experience AI-driven functionality similar to ChatGPT or Google’s Gemini.

Bringing Alexa+ to the Web

With over 600 million Alexa-powered devices sold globally, Amazon aims to increase the competitive edge of Alexa+ by making it accessible beyond just home devices, expanding to phones and now, the internet.

Accessing Alexa+ Anywhere

This move enables users without Alexa devices at home to interact with the assistant seamlessly online.

Revamped Mobile Experience

In conjunction with this rollout, the Alexa mobile app is receiving an update to feature a more user-friendly “agent-forward” layout, prioritizing chatbot-style interactions. This shifts focus to conversational use while deemphasizing other features.

Image Credits: Screenshot of the new Alexa app

Broadening Functionalities on Alexa.com

On this new platform, users can utilize Alexa+ for tasks such as researching topics, content creation, and trip planning, while emphasizing family-centric needs like smart home management, updating calendars, and making dinner reservations.

Integrating Services for a Personalized Experience

Recent updates have expanded partnerships with services like Angi, Expedia, and Yelp, creating a robust ecosystem for Alexa+ users alongside existing platforms like OpenTable and Uber.

User-Friendly Navigation

Alexa.com includes a streamlined navigation sidebar, making it effortless for users to pick up ongoing tasks—from checking calendars to managing shopping lists.

Becoming an Essential Home Hub

Amazon envisions Alexa+ as a hub for managing family life, organizing documents and appointments—from school schedules to household reminders.

However, this goal may require Amazon to strengthen its data offerings due to lacking a dedicated productivity suite similar to competitors like Google.

Unique Selling Points with Alexa+

“Seventy-six percent of what customers are using Alexa+ for no other AI can do,” shares Daniel Rausch, VP of Alexa and Echo at Amazon, highlighting Alexa’s unique capabilities. Users can share family recipes and get real-time cooking assistance during meal prep.

Significant User Engagement

Amazon reports that over 10 million consumers are currently using Alexa+, with engagement rates significantly higher compared to the original Alexa, particularly in shopping and recipe usage.

Feedback and Future Improvements

While users have expressed concerns about Alexa+’s occasional misfires, Rausch maintains these instances are minimal. He emphasizes that the integration of Alexa with a wide range of devices continues to evolve.

“Ninety-seven percent of Alexa devices support Alexa+, ensuring users can enjoy an enriched experience across various generations of devices,” he concludes.

Sure! Here are five FAQs about Amazon’s AI assistant, Alexa, as found on Alexa.com:

FAQ 1: What is Alexa?

Answer: Alexa is Amazon’s voice-activated AI assistant that can perform a variety of tasks such as answering questions, controlling smart home devices, providing weather updates, and playing music.

FAQ 2: How do I set up Alexa?

Answer: To set up Alexa, download the Amazon Alexa app on your smartphone, sign in with your Amazon account, and follow the on-screen instructions to connect your Alexa-enabled device to Wi-Fi and personalize your settings.

FAQ 3: Can Alexa control smart home devices?

Answer: Yes, Alexa can control a wide range of smart home devices, including lights, thermostats, and security cameras. Ensure your smart devices are compatible with Alexa and linked through the Alexa app.

FAQ 4: What are Alexa Skills?

Answer: Alexa Skills are like apps that expand the functionality of Alexa. They can be enabled through the Alexa app and allow Alexa to perform various tasks, such as ordering food, playing games, or providing guided meditation.

FAQ 5: Is my conversation with Alexa private?

Answer: Amazon prioritizes user privacy. You can manage your privacy settings within the Alexa app, including deleting voice recordings. However, keep in mind that Alexa captures voice data to improve its services and functionality.

Feel free to reach out if you need more information!

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Black Friday Achieves Record Online Spending of $11.8 Billion, According to Adobe

<div>
    <h2>Black Friday Breaks Records with $11.8 Billion in Online Sales</h2>

    <p id="speakable-summary" class="wp-block-paragraph">American consumers spent a staggering $11.8 billion online on Black Friday, setting a new record according to <a target="_blank" rel="nofollow" href="https://business.adobe.com/resources/holiday-shopping-report.html">Adobe Analytics</a>, which monitors over 1 trillion visits to U.S. retail websites.</p>

    <h3>A New Milestone in E-Commerce Spending</h3>
    <p class="wp-block-paragraph">This figure surpasses last year's $10.8 billion, showcasing significant growth. Between 10 AM and 2 PM, shoppers were reportedly spending $12.5 million every minute. As <a target="_blank" rel="nofollow" href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/joanverdon/2025/11/29/black-friday-data-shows-online-sales-strong-store-results-mixed/">Forbes</a> notes, Adobe stated that these numbers demonstrate Black Friday’s rise as a crucial e-commerce event, as many consumers choose to shop from the comfort of their homes.</p>

    <h3>Cyber Monday Expected to Surpass Black Friday Sales</h3>
    <p class="wp-block-paragraph">Looking ahead, Adobe forecasts that Cyber Monday on December 1 will see even greater online spending, estimating $14.2 billion, according to <a target="_blank" rel="nofollow" href="https://www.reuters.com/business/retail-consumer/us-consumers-spent-118-billion-black-friday-says-adobe-analytics-2025-11-29/">Reuters</a>.</p>

    <h3>Insight into Holiday Shopping Trends</h3>
    <p class="wp-block-paragraph">Data from industry leaders like Adobe and Salesforce provides early insights into holiday shopping trends. Adobe anticipates total holiday spending to reach $253.4 billion this year, up from $241.1 billion in 2024.</p>

    <h3>Salesforce Discusses Global Spending and Price Influences</h3>
    <p class="wp-block-paragraph">Salesforce reported a total of $79 billion in global Black Friday spending, with $18 billion stemming from the U.S., reflecting year-over-year increases of 6% and 3%, respectively. However, this growth may be more indicative of rising prices, as Salesforce notes an average price increase of 7%, contrasted with a 1% decline in order volumes.</p>

    <h3>The Role of AI in Holiday Shopping</h3>
    <p class="wp-block-paragraph">Both Adobe and Salesforce cite the increasing impact of artificial intelligence on holiday shopping. For instance, <a target="_blank" rel="nofollow" href="https://x.com/salesforce/status/1994825232008298633">Salesforce notes</a> that AI and AI-driven agents influenced $22 billion in global sales during the period from Thanksgiving to Black Friday, although the extent of this influence is still being defined.</p>

    <h3>In-Person Shopping Trends Remain Uncertain</h3>
    <p class="wp-block-paragraph">The comparison between online shopping and in-store sales presents mixed data. According to RetailNext, in-store traffic has declined by 3.4% nationwide, while Pass_by reports an overall increase of 1.17% in foot traffic, with department stores experiencing an impressive 7.9% growth.</p>

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FAQs on Black Friday Online Spending Record

  1. What was the total online spending for Black Friday this year?

    • This year, Black Friday online spending reached a record high of $11.8 billion, according to Adobe Analytics.

  2. How does this year’s spending compare to previous years?

    • The $11.8 billion in spending marks an increase compared to previous years, showcasing a trend of growing consumer confidence and a shift towards online shopping.

  3. What items were the most popular during Black Friday?

    • Top-selling categories included electronics, apparel, and home goods, with consumers particularly favoring deals on items like TVs, laptops, and kitchen appliances.

  4. What factors contributed to the increased spending this Black Friday?

    • Contributing factors include early promotional sales prior to Black Friday, an increase in the number of retail websites offering discounts, and a surge in consumer demand for online shopping due to the convenience it offers.
  5. How did Black Friday spending impact retailers?
    • Retailers experienced significant boosts in sales, which not only increased their revenue but also demonstrated the effectiveness of digital marketing strategies and online presence in reaching consumers.

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