Alexa Plus: Your Personal Bargain Hunter

Amazon has recently unveiled exciting new features for Alexa Plus that aim to enhance the shopping experience for users. One of the key additions is the ability for Alexa Plus to track orders and notify users of price drops on selected products. This AI-powered assistant can now proactively monitor items in your Amazon basket or wish list, informing you when they reach a specified price threshold. Additionally, Alexa Plus can automatically purchase products on your behalf when they fall below the designated price.

These innovative price-tracking features were initially announced in February and have been gradually rolling out to Alexa Plus users since June. Users can instruct Alexa Plus to keep an eye on specific items, such as requesting notifications when a product like the Dyson Supersonic hair dryer drops below a certain price. Moreover, the assistant can be programmed to automatically make purchases once the price meets the user’s desired threshold, streamlining the shopping process.

Notably, these auto-buy capabilities have also been extended to Amazon’s Rufus AI chatbot, offering a seamless shopping experience on the Amazon Shopping app. While the convenience of receiving alerts for price drops is undeniable, users are advised to exercise caution to prevent unintentional purchases, especially during gift-giving seasons.

In addition to these features, Amazon has introduced a new shopping command center for the Echo Show 15 and Echo Show 21 devices. Dubbed “Shopping Essentials,” this feature offers a comprehensive overview of recent orders, real-time delivery tracking, shopping lists, and saved items. Users can access this feature by simply saying “Alexa, where’s my stuff?” or “Open Shopping Essentials.” Furthermore, Amazon plans to introduce a new shopping widget for Echo users’ homescreens in the near future.

Moreover, Alexa Plus now prompts users to add additional items to incoming deliveries to expedite the shipping process. By suggesting products that can be included in the shipment until the last moment before it leaves the warehouse, Amazon aims to ensure faster delivery of last-minute purchases.

Another exciting feature is the personalized gift suggestions offered by Alexa Plus. Users can provide details about the recipient or the occasion, following which Alexa Plus generates tailored product recommendations categorized for easy browsing.