Now, Amazon has introduced Alexa+, a pretty darn cool new feature in the Amazon Music app. It leverages generative AI to create individualized playlists based on what you ask for. Initially announced in February during Amazon’s hardware event, Alexa+ aims to enhance the user experience by tailoring music selections to individual preferences.
Alexa+ lays claim to being among the first consumer-focused, agent-facing tools to hit the market. This new platform has already made waves, quickly surpassing over a million users. It is still in development and not available to the general public at large. The feature allows users to make unique requests such as, “Make a playlist of 2010s hits that keep me moving fast, starting with a track from Nicki Minaj.”
Beyond just creating personally curated playlists, Alexa+ also answers questions related song credits. For example, users can inquire, “What’s the song that plays during the opening credits of ‘The Sopranos’?” This capability reflects Alexa+’s advancement as an enhanced version of Amazon’s existing voice assistant technology.
Amazon’s foray into the consumer agent space through Alexa+ demonstrates its commitment to streamlining and personalizing the music listening experience. Lauren Forris writes for TechCrunch that this feature represents a significant gamble by Amazon. It’s an indication of their play in the long game that is the fierce streaming service and music app landscape.
The versatility of Alexa+ goes way beyond playlists, it can help users create social dynamics through smart music recommendations. A representative from Amazon noted, “Can you recommend new music that would make me seem cool to my 13-year-old daughter without trying too hard?”
Alexa+ seems set to change how listeners experience music with advanced AI features. Amazon’s already deployed its services to more than a million users. This time around, the company is laying the groundwork for a much more tailored and interactive music experience.