I didn’t know Alexa+ could do this — 9 productivity features you should try first

(Image credit: Future/Amanda Caswell)

Amazon’s next-generation AI assistant, Alexa+, is officially out of Early Access and now available to all U.S. users. That means you no longer need a special invite to try Amazon’s more conversational, more capable version of Alexa.

If you’re a Prime member, full access to Alexa+ now comes included with your membership. If you don't' have Prime, you can subscribe for $19.99 per month — or use a free chat tier in the Alexa app or on Alexa.com that lets you test core generative AI features without an Echo device.

If you’re just getting started, here are nine smart, fun and actually useful things to try first.

1. Have a real back-and-forth conversation

Amazon Alexa on an Echo device — (Image credit: Shutterstock)

As I type, my five-year-old is casually chatting with Alexa+ about dinosaurs just moments after playing a game of tic-tac-toe with it. This new version of Alexa is incredibly personal and human-like. It's built for multi-turn conversation. You can ask a question, interrupt, follow up and refine your request without repeating yourself.

The biggest change you’ll notice isn’t just intelligence — it’s delivery. Alexa+ speaks more fluidly, with fewer robotic pauses and a more natural cadence than classic Alexa. It still sounds like Alexa, but it feels more conversational, less script-driven and better at staying in dialogue rather than resetting each time.

It can also identify which member of the household is speaking. It knows when it's talking to each one of my kids and calls them by their names versus when it's chatting with me.

2. Use Alexa+ as a smart home concierge

Amazon Alexa Plus new scene-jumping feature — (Image credit: Amazon)

Alexa has long been good at controlling smart devices — but only if you spoke in the right, almost programmatic way. You had to break your request into specific steps: name each device, specify each action and often repeat yourself if something didn’t quite work.

Alexa+ shifts that dynamic.

Instead of treating your voice like a list of instructions, Alexa+ is designed to interpret intent — what you mean, not just what you say.

So rather than issuing a string of precise commands like: “Turn off the living room lights, set the thermostat to 68, and play soft music,” you can speak more naturally: “Alexa, make the house feel cozy for movie night.”

From there, Alexa+ tries to translate that vague, human request into real-world actions based on your setup. I enjoy the way Alexa reasons about your request. Rather than mapping your words to a pre-set routine, Alexa+ is effectively inferring what “cozy” likely means in your home, given your devices and past usage. You just talk like a person, and Alexa+ adapts.

3. Ask Alexa+ to plan something with you

Alexa+ on Echo Show 15 — (Image credit: Future)

Because Alexa+ can keep context, it’s much better at planning than the old assistant.

You can say things like:

“Help me plan a weekend in Boston with kids.”
“Make me a simple dinner plan for this week.”
“Plan a birthday party for an 8-year-old who loves unicorns.”

You can then refine your plan step by step — just like you would with a chatbot but by voice.

5. Let it help you in the kitchen (without losing your place)

KitchenAid stand mixer in white on countertop, cooking cakes — (Image credit: Amazon)

Alexa has long been a kitchen companion, but Alexa+ is better at staying on track.

You can ask for a recipe, then swap ingredients (“Make this dairy-free.”), change servings (“Adjust for a family of five.”) or ask clarifying questions mid-step. Because Alexa+ maintains context, it won’t forget that you’re in the middle of cooking and handles the conversation seamlessly.

6. Try Alexa+ in text chat — no Echo required

Alexa+ set up routine — (Image credit: Future)

You don’t actually need a smart speaker to test Alexa+. The free tier lets you chat with Alexa+ in the Alexa mobile app or at Alexa.com in your browser.

This works like a lightweight AI chatbot. You can brainstorm, ask questions, summarize articles, get explanations or even generate images — all without speaking out loud.

This is a great way to test Alexa+ before deciding whether to pay or rely on it across devices.

7. Ask Alexa+ to manage your day

Alexa+ screenshots from app — (Image credit: Future)

Alexa+ is better at understanding schedules and routines than previous versions. I know this because I would never have attempted three different classroom schedules and events, three wildly different sports schedules and more with the old Alexa. But Alexa+ handles my chaotic family of five with ease.

You can ask things like:

“What do I have today?”
“Remind me to text my sister after school pickup.”
“Add dinner with Jen to my calendar next Thursday.”

If you’ve connected your calendar or email, Alexa+ can also summarize upcoming commitments or flag conflicts.

8. Let Alexa+ entertain your kids (so you get five minutes of peace)

One of Alexa’s most underrated strengths has always been family use — and Alexa+ makes this smoother. My kids ask it questions all the time and they have learned some pretty fun activities like full body rock, paper, scissors.

Sometimes when I just need 10 minutes to finish something, I'll tell my kids to go chat with Alexa+ about (subject). It's a great screen-free way for them to learn.

You can ask it to:

Tell a story
Play a voice game
Create a scavenger hunt
Make a kid-friendly playlist

9. Use visual features if you have an Echo Show

A person rotating the Echo Show 8 (4th Gen) using the optional adjustable stand — (Image credit: Tom's Guide)

If you own an Echo Show or another camera-equipped Alexa device, Alexa+ can do more than listen — it can “look.”

You can ask it to:

Identify objects
Help troubleshoot problems
Describe what it sees

For example, you could show it a messy room and ask: “What should I clean first?”

This is still an evolving feature, but it’s one of the clearest examples of Alexa becoming multimodal.

Bottom line

Alexa+ has become an integrated part of our family organization. The upgrades prove Alexa as a true AI assistant rather than a simple voice tool. It’s more conversational, more context-aware and better at handling real-world tasks.

If you’ve written off Alexa in recent years, this is a good moment to give it another chance.

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Amanda Caswell is an award-winning journalist, bestselling YA author, and one of today’s leading voices in AI and technology. A celebrated contributor to various news outlets, her sharp insights and relatable storytelling have earned her a loyal readership. Amanda’s work has been recognized with prestigious honors, including outstanding contribution to media.

Known for her ability to bring clarity to even the most complex topics, Amanda seamlessly blends innovation and creativity, inspiring readers to embrace the power of AI and emerging technologies. As a certified prompt engineer, she continues to push the boundaries of how humans and AI can work together.

Beyond her journalism career, Amanda is a long-distance runner and mom of three. She lives in New Jersey.

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