Amazon launched its next-generation digital assistant, Alexa+, in Canada, marking the first region outside the United States to receive it. Unveiled in February, the service has been rolling out to users since then, enabling natural-language interactions for home control and personalized assistance.
The core functionality of Alexa+ centers on natural-language commands that allow users to interact conversationally without rigid phrasing. For example, stating “I’m cold” prompts the assistant to increase the home heating system automatically. Similarly, saying “It’s dark” results in the activation of connected lights. This approach builds on the version available in the United States, extending seamless voice control to Canadian households.
Allison Siperco, the Alexa manager for Canada, highlighted the assistant’s tailored understanding of local nuances. In Amazon’s announcement, she stated that the assistant understands Canadian culture and regional expressions. It can process distinctly Canadian topics, such as the country’s hockey teams and musicians, ensuring responses align with users’ everyday contexts and interests.
Integration with Canadian-specific services enhances practical utility. Alexa+ facilitates restaurant reservations directly through OpenTable, providing access to availability and booking options via voice. It connects users to CBC news for real-time updates on national and local stories. Additionally, the assistant supports searching and purchasing items from local e-commerce platforms, streamlining online shopping experiences within Canada.
Upcoming expansions include support for more services. Siperco noted that the assistant will also support Yelp, Uber Eats, Suno, and TripAdvisor in the country soon. These additions will enable functionalities like restaurant reviews via Yelp, food delivery orders through Uber Eats, music generation with Suno, and travel planning assistance from TripAdvisor.
Alexa+ personalizes interactions across household members by adapting its tone to individual preferences and contexts. It suggests customized routines, such as recommending meditation for someone who has had a long day at the office, based on detected patterns in user behavior. The assistant also retains information on dietary restrictions, incorporating these details when suggesting restaurant options to ensure suitable recommendations.
In shopping assistance, Alexa+ performs targeted tasks to aid decision-making. It identifies items with the best pricing across available sources. For grocery needs, it generates lists that account for specified dietary restrictions, avoiding incompatible suggestions. The assistant compares features between products, outlining differences in specifications and benefits. It further summarizes customer reviews from Amazon Canada, condensing key feedback on quality, performance, and value.
Access to Alexa+ during its Early Access phase remains free, but requires purchase of compatible new Echo devices: the Echo Show 8, Echo Show 11, Echo Dot Max, or Echo Studio. Following the Early Access period, the service stays free for Amazon Prime subscribers. Non-Prime users face a monthly fee of $28 CAD for continued access.
