Amazon Launches Alexa+ in Music App, Bringing Advanced AI Conversations to Streaming

Alexa+ comes to the Amazon Music app | TechCrunch

Amazon announced on Tuesday that Alexa+, its upgraded assistant powered by AI, is coming to the Amazon Music app for iOS and Android devices. The feature is currently available across all Amazon Music subscription plans, but is only available for users with Alexa+ Early Access. (To access Alexa+, tap the "a" button in the lower right corner and ask your question using the built-in microphone on your phone. ) The introduction of Alexa+ to Amazon Music aims to create a more conversational approach to music discovery. Unlike the previous version of Alexa, which only responded to basic commands, Alexa+ is designed to engage in natural dialogue. Users can ask specific and obscure questions, such as queries regarding an artist's influences or exploring deeper meanings behind songs. It can also help recall a song's title by providing lyrics you remember or even mentioning the movie it was featured in. Additionally, Alexa+ can create personalized playlists tailored to specific requests, such as "Make a playlist of 2010s hits that keep me moving fast, starting with a track from Nicki Minaj," the company suggested. Some other examples the company provided include: "Can you recommend new music that would make me seem cool to my 13-year-old daughter without trying too hard?" and "What's the song that plays during the opening credits of 'The Sopranos'?" Alexa+ was initially announced in February at the company's hardware event and is positioned as one of the first consumer-focused agent tools on the market. This assistant can perform actions on a user's behalf, such as booking restaurant reservations and ordering groceries. While Alexa+ is still in its early stages and not yet widely available to the public, it has already rolled out to more than a million users. The company reported that Amazon Music listeners who have tried the feature are exploring songs three times more with Alexa+ than with the original assistant, and those seeking recommendations are listening to nearly 70% more music. In light of Spotify's recent integration with ChatGPT, this could be a strategic move by Amazon to compete with the music streaming giant and showcase its own AI investments. Amazon Music has already incorporated numerous AI features into its app, with the latest additions being weekly AI-generated playlists, AI-assisted search, and "Explore," which helps users learn more about their favorite artists.

Amazon is building Alexa Plus into its Music app

Amazon is using Alexa Plus to bring new AI capabilities to its Music streaming service. Starting today, customers in the Alexa Plus Early Access beta will be able to access the generative AI assistant within the Amazon Music app on iOS and Android, allowing users across all subscription tiers to request obscure information or complex music recommendations. The Alexa Plus integration can find songs you can't remember the name of based on lyrics or shows they were featured on, for example, or provide information about chart positions, festival lineups, and the meaning behind song lyrics. The AI will also recommend music based on specific eras, moods, artists and instruments, and exclude anything you don't want to listen to -- such as asking it to play '90s pop music from artists like Madonna, but don't include any boy bands.

Alexa+ comes to the Amazon Music app

Amazon has launched its new and improved AI assistant in the Amazon Music app. From today, anyone signed up to Alexa+ Early Access with the latest version of the app downloaded to their iOS or Android device can start using Amazon's reimagined virtual assistant for music discovery and organizing their libraries. To access the chatbot, you tap the "A" button in the lower right corner of the screen when Amazon Music is open. You can then test its knowledge by asking it a range of questions, from something as basic as finding a recently released song by a particular artist, to more complex searches based on a single lyric or the name of the TV show the song you're trying to find is featured in. Alexa+ is designed for more conversational interactions, so you can use natural language prompts and then ask follow-up questions as you would if you were talking to a friend, to narrow down its search results. Amazon says you can search for specific eras, moods and instruments, as well as telling Alexa what you don't want it to serve up. Alexa+ can also be used for playlist creation, allowing you to request something as specific as a high-energy running playlist with songs from a particular decade that starts with a song from a certain artist. You can also be more vague, asking for something that fits your current mood or the time of day. Alexa+ in Amazon Music is being marketed not only as an AI tastemaker and personal DJ, but also a music expert, so you can ask it things like the inspiration for a song's lyrics, where an album charted and questions about upcoming live performances. Alexa+ has been gradually rolling out in Amazon's various smart devices since the beginning of the year, with mixed results. You'll be using it in everything from new Ring devices, to the latest Kindles and Vega, Amazon's new smart TV operating system. It's also built into the new Echo Studio speaker, and Engadget's Billy Steele was impressed by the AI assistant's more human-like conversation skills, even if it's still prone to basic errors right now, such as getting the day of the week wrong in a response. Alexa+ is currently available in Early Access for all tiers of Amazon Music. Eventually it'll be free to all Prime members, and available to non-Prime members for $20 per month (more than an Amazon Prime subscription on its own).

As we await a smarter Siri, Amazon brings Alexa+ to iOS music app

One of the big promises of Apple Intelligence is the ability to interact with our apps. Instead of the relatively simple requests we can currently make of Apple Music, for example, we should be able to give the app a vibe-like steer on what we'd like it to play and let it figure out which tracks match our spec. That's a capability Amazon has just made available in the iOS and Android versions of its own music app by introducing support for its own next-generation intelligent assistant, Alexa+ ... Alexa+, sometimes branded as Alexa Plus, is the company's own version of the next generation Siri we're expecting to launch at some point in 2026. Amazon's edition launched back in March. Alexa+ is more conversational, smarter, personalized -- and she helps you get things done. She keeps you entertained, helps you learn, keeps you organized, summarizes complex topics, and can converse about virtually anything. Alexa+ can manage and protect your home, make reservations, and help you track, discover, and enjoy new artists. She can also help you search, find or buy virtually any item online, and make useful suggestions based on your interests. Alexa+ does all this and more -- all you have to do is ask. Smart speaker support requires one of the more recent Echo devices, but it has also today launched inside the Amazon Music app in beta form. The company made the enhancement today. Beginning today, Alexa+ will be rolling out on the Amazon Music app on iOS and Android. All customers in Alexa+ Early Access will be able to enjoy Alexa+ in the Amazon Music app across all subscription tiers. Stay tuned for further updates on availability, including access for all customers. The integration of Alexa+ into the Amazon Music app brings a new depth of understanding to interactive AI capabilities in music streaming -- from simple queries, to the complicated and obscure. Customers can dive deeper into genres, uncover artist influences and discographies, trace sample origins from their favorite tracks, and even ask, "what's this song about?" [...] Alexa+ engages in natural dialogue that mirrors talking with a knowledgeable friend about music. Start with a request like 'I'm in the mood for some electronic music, can you recommend some tracks?' and explore deeper through organic conversation, "can you tell me more about that first artist you mentioned?" You can refine your musical journey by discussing specific eras, regional scenes, moods, and instruments - even expressing what you want to avoid. Amazon gave some examples of how you might use it: The intelligent assistant can also create playlists for you from both general and highly specific prompts: Amazon says that in testing it has proven extremely popular. We've seen customers explore music three times more with Alexa+ than with the original Alexa, and those who searched for music recommendations listened to nearly 70% more music. You'll need to join the Alexa+ Early Access program to get access to it. You can join here if you are not already a member of the beta program. Once the beta ends, Alexa+ will cost $19.99 per month - but will be free for Amazon Prime members.

Alexa+ rolling out now in Amazon Music app -- here's what you can do now

The new Alexa+ assistant has just found a new home as Amazon finds new ways to bring generative AI to its ecosystem of services and devices. "Beginning today, Alexa+ will be rolling out on the Amazon Music app on iOS and Android. All customers in Alexa+ Early Access will be able to enjoy Alexa+ in the Amazon Music app across all subscription tiers," Amazon posted on an announcement blog. When you open the Amazon Music app, there will be a small floating 'a' symbol in the bottom right. When you click on this, it will activate Alexa+. Through interactions with the AI assistant, you can find songs, create playlists, and more. Amazon gives some examples to start you off: Amazon is also pushing the advanced features of this kind of AI, encouraging users to try out more nuanced requests. These could involve asking for jazz songs but only ones with fast tempos or asking for a playlist that is fun and exciting but won't overpower a conversation. "With Alexa+ you can rely on a deeply knowledgeable and conversational music expert in your phone. Alexa's knowledge spans the breath of music culture -- from historical milestones to tomorrow's album releases, from technical production details to the stories behind iconic songs," the Alexa+ blog goes on to say. Spotify is Amazon's biggest competitor when it comes to an AI assistant in music streaming. A few years ago, Spotify introduced its AI DJ feature. This acts like a real-world DJ, with introductions to each song and some commentary in between. However, Spotify's AI disc jockey is also personalized to you, setting up a playlist that combines songs you love, as well as new ones Spotify thinks you'll like. The AI DJ saw a big update this year, now taking requests, both by voice and text. This makes it more in line with the abilities that Alexa+ is offering on Amazon Music. However, it isn't quite as intelligent. That is where ChatGPT comes in, currently advertising in partnership with Spotify a feature that can compete with Amazon. When prompting ChatGPT, if a query involves the word Spotify, a pop-up might appear that can take you straight into the music streaming app and complete the request. ChatGPT and Spotify have advertised the ability to use similar prompts to Amazon, asking for niche playlists, facts about songs, and more. Where Alexa+ stands out is that it is the first platform to do it all in one single place. When you prompt Alexa+, it is doing it all within the Amazon Music app directly.

Alexa+ is coming to Amazon Music, and it's an AI DJ, playlist curator, and music encyclopedia all rolled into one

The AI assistant aims to enhance your music streaming experience, letting you create specific playlists and answering your nuanced music requests Alexa+ early access is in full swing and users are getting used to its endless capabilities, and now it's available in the Amazon Music app on iOS and Android - marking the next stage in its expansion across Amazon's products. Amazon announced the integration of Alexa+ with one of the best music streaming services on Tuesday, and early access customers can take advantage of its capabilities across all subscription tiers. It's also easy to get it up and running. All you have to do is tap the 'A' icon in the bottom right of the app, and then you're good to go. Since rolling out Alexa+ to products such as the Echo Dot (5th Gen) and Echo Show 8, Amazon has 'seen customers explore music three times more with Alexa+ than with the original Alexa, and those who searched for music recommendations listened to nearly 70% more music', according to its blog post. With the integration with Amazon Music, the company aims to 'bring these enhanced music experiences to even more customers'. Additionally, it's designed to make your streaming experience more conversational, allowing for deeper discoveries and increased engagement while bringing enhanced AI functions to music streaming. In short, it's essentially an amalgamation of some of Spotify's best advanced features. Similar to how Spotify's AI DJ curates a listening session at the tap of a button or by taking your voice requests, Alexa+ can conjure a music segment by engaging in natural conversation even answering your more nuanced requests. For example, if you want to listen to a specific genre and decade but want to avoid certain artists you could prompt Alexa+ to 'play pop songs from the '90s from different artists, including Madonna, but skip the boy bands'. You can also use Alexa+ to find songs you can't remember the name of, but can remember the artist, lyrics, or even a movie it's from. Alexa+ also doubles as a playlist curator, which, like Spotify's own AI playlist generator, can create a unique soundtrack based on the most specific requests. Need a song for your next road trip? Try asking, 'Create a playlist for driving along the Pacific Coast Highway at sunset'. Or if you want to create a playlist to emulate a particular environment, you could ask, 'Create a music playlist that sounds like a Parisian café, and only include songs in French'. Aside from viewing song credits, Spotify's music knowledge features pretty much end there. Alexa+ is an AI assistant turned music expert, and has the answers to all your burning music trivia questions, whether you want to find out the meaning behind some of the most recognizable songs, festival lineups, chart positions, and more. Have you been a fan of a particular song but never understood the meaning behind it? If you ask Alexa+, 'What's the story behind the lyrics to Hotel California?', it will give you the breakdown. And if you have a big music festival coming up, you can find out more by asking something like, 'I'm going to Camp Flog Gnaw. Who are the artists performing in 2025? Can you tell me more about those artists?' As it stands, Alexa+ in Amazon Music is only available to those with early access. If you want to have a taste of it to enhance your music streaming experience, you can still sign up for early access.

Amazon brings Alexa+ to its music app

Amazon announced on Tuesday that Alexa+, its upgraded AI-powered assistant, is integrating into the Amazon Music app for iOS and Android devices. This feature targets all Amazon Music subscription plans but limits access to users enrolled in Alexa+ Early Access. Users activate it by tapping the "a" button in the lower right corner and speaking into the phone's built-in microphone, enabling a conversational approach to music discovery. The integration introduces capabilities beyond the original Alexa's basic commands, fostering natural dialogue for music-related inquiries. Users pose detailed questions about artists' influences or song meanings, receiving responses that deepen understanding. For instance, the assistant identifies tracks from remembered lyrics or movie appearances, simplifying recall of obscure songs. This design supports exploration of music in ways that mimic human conversation, allowing follow-up questions for clarification or expansion. Alexa+ generates personalized playlists based on specific user requests, adapting to preferences expressed in natural language. One example provided by the company is the prompt: "Make a playlist of 2010s hits that keep me moving fast, starting with a track from Nicki Minaj." This request results in a curated selection starting with a specified song and continuing with energetic tracks from that decade. Another example demonstrates versatility: "Can you recommend new music that would make me seem cool to my 13-year-old daughter without trying too hard?" Here, Alexa+ suggests contemporary artists and tracks appealing to a teenage audience while aligning with the user's intent to appear effortlessly current. Further examples illustrate practical applications, such as identifying specific media elements. The query "What's the song that plays during the opening credits of 'The Sopranos'?" prompts Alexa+ to name the track "Woke Up This Morning" by Alabama 3, providing context about its role in the series. These interactions highlight the assistant's ability to handle niche references, drawing from a broad knowledge base to connect users with relevant music. Amazon first unveiled Alexa+ in February during its annual hardware event, presenting it as an early consumer-oriented AI agent tool. Beyond music, the assistant executes tasks on users' behalf, including booking restaurant reservations through integrated services and ordering groceries via partnered retailers. This functionality extends its utility across daily activities, leveraging AI to streamline actions that previously required multiple steps. Currently in early development, Alexa+ has reached more than a million users through the Early Access program. Amazon data indicates that listeners using the feature in the Music app explore songs three times more extensively compared to interactions with the original assistant. Additionally, users seeking recommendations via Alexa+ listen to nearly 70 percent more music overall, reflecting increased engagement with the platform's catalog. This rollout occurs alongside Spotify's integration of ChatGPT into its service, positioning Amazon to highlight its AI advancements in music streaming. Amazon Music already features several AI enhancements, such as weekly playlists generated by artificial intelligence algorithms that analyze listening habits. AI-assisted search refines results based on contextual queries, improving accuracy for diverse requests. The "Explore" mode delves into details about favorite artists, offering biographical notes, discographies, and related recommendations to enrich user knowledge.