Amazon has launched its new AI-enabled assistant, Alexa+, as of March 31, 2025, but many advertised features are still unavailable.

The service is free for Amazon Prime members, while others can subscribe for $20 per month, with priority access for owners of specific Echo Show models.

Notable features such as food recommendations through Grubhub, gift idea brainstorming, and storytime mode for kids are currently missing from the launch.

Alexa+ can summarize uploaded documents, but the ability to delete these files is still under development, raising privacy concerns.

Amazon has acknowledged the file deletion issue and plans to resolve it soon, with customer service available to assist with deletion requests.

At launch, Alexa+ can perform basic functions like ordering an Uber, identifying objects, and drafting emails, although these capabilities are limited.

The assistant features advanced conversation capabilities, allowing for more natural interactions, but web conversation features are not yet available.

Some features are expected to be released in waves over the next two months, including ordering food from Grubhub and recognizing family members.

Currently, Alexa+ is only compatible with specific Echo Show devices, such as the Echo Show 8, 10, 15, and 21, with plans to expand support.

The rollout of Alexa+ has faced challenges related to the AI infrastructure, indicating ongoing difficulties for Amazon in enhancing its smart assistant.

These delays highlight the challenges tech companies face in updating virtual assistants to compete with advanced AI chatbots like ChatGPT.

Panos Panay, who previously worked at Microsoft, was brought in to lead Amazon's devices division in late 2023, following the departure of former head Dave Limp.