Amazon has taken a big step forward with its AI assistant, Alexa+. The company has added new partners that make Alexa more useful in daily life. Alexa+ can now work with Angi, Expedia, Square, and Yelp. These new features are expected to roll out in 2026.
This update is part of Amazon’s plan to turn Alexa into a true personal helper, not just a voice that plays music or answers questions. With these changes, Alexa+ can help people book hotels, find home services, and schedule local appointments using simple voice commands.
In this post, we will explain what this update means, how it works, and why it matters, using very simple words.
What Is Alexa+
Alexa+ is Amazon’s new version of Alexa, powered by advanced artificial intelligence. It is designed to understand normal speech better. You do not need to speak in short or robotic commands anymore. You can talk to Alexa+ like you talk to a person.
For example, instead of saying, “Alexa, find a hotel,” you can say, “Alexa, I want a pet friendly hotel in Chicago this weekend.” Alexa+ understands the full sentence and responds in a helpful way.
Alexa+ can also remember what you say and ask follow up questions. This makes the conversation feel more natural and easy.
The New Integrations Explained Simply
Amazon has added four new services to Alexa+. These are Angi, Expedia, Square, and Yelp. Each one helps with a different part of daily life.
Expedia and Hotel Booking
Expedia helps people book hotels. With the new Alexa+ update, you can search for hotels using your voice. You can compare prices, check availability, and even manage your booking.
You can say things like:
“Find me a cheap hotel near the airport.”
“Show me family friendly hotels for this weekend.”
“Book the one with free breakfast.”
Alexa+ uses Expedia’s hotel list to give you real options. This saves time because you do not need to open a website or app.
Angi and Home Services
Angi is a service that helps people find workers for home jobs. This includes plumbing, cleaning, painting, and repairs.
With Alexa+, you can ask for help around the house. For example:
“I need someone to fix my sink.”
“Find a cleaner near me.”
Alexa+ can get price quotes and help you book a service. This is useful for people who do not like calling many companies or filling out long forms online.
Square and Local Appointments
Square works with many local businesses, especially beauty and wellness shops. These include hair salons, barbershops, nail salons, and spas.
With the Square integration, Alexa+ can help you find nearby services and book appointments. You can ask:
“Find a hair salon near me.”
“Book a haircut for tomorrow afternoon.”
You can also change or cancel appointments by talking to Alexa. This makes it easier to manage your schedule.
Yelp and Local Discovery
Yelp helps people find local businesses and read reviews. With Alexa+, you can discover places to eat, shop, or get services.
You can say:
“Find a good pizza place nearby.”
“Show me top rated plumbers in my area.”
Alexa+ uses Yelp data to suggest places that match what you want.
How This Is Different From Old Alexa
Old Alexa worked mostly with fixed commands. You had to know the exact words to say. Alexa+ is different because it understands normal language.
You can talk back and forth. If Alexa shows you options, you can refine your request. For example:
“That one is too expensive.”
“Show me something closer.”
This makes Alexa+ feel more like a helper and less like a machine.
Why Amazon Is Doing This
Amazon wants Alexa+ to become the main way people use online services. Instead of opening apps or websites, you can just talk.
This idea is not new. ChatGPT and other AI tools are also adding apps and services. The goal is to save time and make things easier.
Amazon believes that if Alexa+ can handle everyday tasks, more people will use it often.
Will People Actually Use It
This is the big question. Many people are used to using apps on their phones. Changing habits is hard.
Amazon shared that early users are already using services like Thumbtack and Vagaro a lot. This shows that some people like this new way.
For Alexa+ to succeed, it must be fast, accurate, and easy. If it feels slow or confusing, people will go back to their apps.
AI Assistants as App Platforms
Alexa+ is becoming more like an app store, but controlled by voice. Instead of tapping icons, you ask for what you want.
For this to work well, Alexa must offer many services and suggest them at the right time. It should not feel like ads. People do not like being pushed.
If Amazon can balance this well, Alexa+ could change how people shop, book, and plan.
What This Means for the Future
This update shows where technology is going. AI assistants are moving beyond simple tasks. They are becoming personal agents that can act for you.
In the future, you might say:
“Plan my weekend.”
“Book a trip that fits my budget.”
“Find the best service based on my past choices.”
Alexa+ is one step toward that future.
The Bottom Line
Amazon’s decision to connect Alexa+ with Angi, Expedia, Square, and Yelp is a big move. It turns Alexa into a tool that can actually do things, not just talk.
For users, this means less time on apps and more done with simple voice commands. For businesses, it means new ways to reach customers.
If Alexa+ stays simple and helpful, many people may welcome this change. The next few years will show if voice powered AI assistants can truly replace apps in everyday life.
