Image credit: Amazon
Amazon is giving every compatible Fire TV owner in the US free access to Alexa+, the company's AI-powered voice assistant, whether or not they pay for Amazon Prime.
Until now, Fire TV customers without Prime had to pay $19.99 a month to use Alexa+ instead of the older, more limited Alexa. The upgrade is rolling out automatically, starting this week, to all current-generation Fire TV Sticks, the Fire TV Cube, Amazon's Ember smart TVs, and compatible Hisense and Panasonic TV sets.
Alexa+ on Fire TV devices understands follow-up questions the way a person would. Amazon says you can ask for a "top-rated thriller," then narrow it down with "something newer" or "with a female lead," instead of searching by exact title. It also handles smart home commands (arming a Ring camera feed on your TV screen, dimming compatible lights for movie night) and general questions without picking up your phone.
Image credit: Amazon
There's no app to download and no setting to turn on. If your Fire TV device is on the compatible list, Amazon says the upgrade applies automatically the next time you use it.
The free tier does have limits. Amazon says Alexa Routines, pulling up specific saved Ring camera moments, and advanced Home Modes automation still require a Prime membership or a standalone Alexa+ subscription, and the free Fire TV access doesn't extend to other Alexa devices like Echo speakers.
