Amazon's Echo Spot device powered by its Alexa digital assistant (Robert Lever/Getty Images)

Amazon’s planning to launch a generative-AI-infused “Alexa+” subscription to reboot its devices division

Amazon’s rolling out a major update to Alexa — a new subscription-based service powered by generative AI.

2/26/25 2:03PM

Amazon announced a major update to its Alexa digital assistant on Wednesday, introducing “Alexa+,” a subscription-based service powered by generative AI that will roll out next month. The new Alexa will feature enhanced capabilities such as booking reservations, purchasing concert tickets, providing personalized recipe suggestions, and even remembering dietary restrictions. It’s designed to learn users’ routines and proactively assist with everyday tasks. Amazon will charge $19.99 per month for the service or offer it free to Prime members. The service will be available on most Alexa devices, beginning with the Echo Show.

This update comes as Amazon works to revitalize Alexa, which has struggled to generate meaningful profit despite selling over 500 million devices. The company has lost billions on its devices division, which includes the Echo and Kindle. With the introduction of Alexa+, Amazon hopes the subscription model will help cover the high costs of AI development and turn the Alexa business profitable.

Amazon isn’t the only tech giant infusing AI into its smart assistants. Last year, Apple rolled out its Apple Intelligence platform to enhance Siri, with goals of making it more conversational and competitive with ChatGPT. But recent upgrades have faced delays, with some features, originally expected in April, now likely postponed until later this year.

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eBay stock slumps on gloomy Q4 outlook despite solid Q3 earnings

Shares of eBay fell as much as 10.5% in premarket trading on Thursday morning after the company gave a lower-than-expected profit forecast for the important holiday shopping season.

The e-commerce giant reported solid numbers for the third quarter on Wednesday, with revenue up 9% as reported to $2.8 billion and gross merchandise volume rising 10% to $20.1 billion, topping the average analyst forecast of $19.4 billion, per Bloomberg.

However, concerns about the future somewhat overshadowed these results.

eBay outlined its profit outlook for the period ending in December to $1.31 to $1.36 a share, with revenue at $2.83 billion to $2.89 billion. According to Bloomberg-compiled data, this broadly matches Wall Street’s estimates for the top line, but misses on the bottom line, with analysts forecasting EPS to come in at $1.39 — suggesting the company expects some further margin pressure.

The company has been facing macroeconomic challenges since the US ended the de minimis tariff exemption in late August, with the online marketplace reliant on shipments. One small silver lining? CFO Peggy Alford highlighted a “less durable trend” on a post-earnings call: that as commodity prices for precious metals boomed, demand for bullion and collectible coins on eBay spiked.