Amazon's Alexa Plus update enables AI-powered smart home device control

Amazon is rolling out a major update to its Alexa Plus voice assistant, enabling it to handle far more complex smart home commands. The upgrade allows Alexa Plus to connect with devices from brands including Bosch, Delta, Ecovacs, iRobot, Yale Home, Whirlpool, Tapo, and Eufy, and automatically route user requests to the correct appliance.

This means users can now give multi-step instructions that require the assistant to navigate device settings. For example, a person with a supported washing machine could say, "Alexa, my kid's soccer jersey could use a deep clean, but the tag says cold wash only." Alexa Plus would then interpret the request and select the appropriate cycle on the washer.

The new capabilities are powered by Amazon's new AI developer tools, which allow third-party manufacturers to integrate their devices more deeply with Alexa. The update affects anyone who uses Alexa Plus to control smart home gadgets, potentially simplifying daily routines.

Amazon announced the update without specifying a precise release date, but the feature is expected to begin rolling out to compatible devices in the coming weeks. The move signals Amazon's push to make Alexa more proactive and context-aware, competing with other AI assistants that are also gaining advanced home automation features.