Amazon's Alexa to offer AI features for ₹418 monthly: What it means for Indian users
"Banyan," could feature a superior version available for a monthly fee of around $5."Banyan," named after the expansive ficus trees, represents the first major update to the voice assistant since its 2014 launch alongside the Echo speaker line, adds the report. The new iteration, dubbed "Remarkable Alexa," is expected to significantly enhance the assistant's capabilities.
Eight current and former employees involved with Alexa, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, shared these details.The report adds that Amazon is pushing for an August deadline for the latest Alexa version, with CEO Andy Jassy personally invested in the project's success. In a recent shareholder letter, Jassy hinted at a “more intelligent and capable Alexa," without disclosing further specifics.
However, insiders warn that the plans, including pricing and release schedules, could change based on the progress of Project Banyan.An Amazon spokeswoman told Reuters, "We have already integrated generative AI into different components of Alexa and are working hard on implementation at scale—in the over half a billion ambient, Alexa-enabled devices already in homes around the world—to enable even more proactive, personal, and trusted assistance for our customers."Originally a passion project of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, Alexa was envisioned to emulate the fictional voice computer from Star Trek. The service, which provides spoken responses to user queries and can control home appliances, has yet to turn a profit.
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