Amazon Pushes Free Alexa+ to Millions of U.S. Fire TVs, Lifts Movie Picks 40%

3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Aug 31

Compatible Fire TV devices in the U.S. are receiving Alexa+ automatically at no extra cost, with no app download or Prime membership required for the TV experience.
Alexa+ adds more conversational voice search and follow-up questions, helping users describe shows naturally; Amazon says Fire TV users are having nearly twice as many conversations and choosing top movie recommendations more than 40% more often.
Fire TV Stick owners use Alexa+ through the remote’s microphone button, while Fire TV Cube models can support hands-free control through built-in microphones; the assistant can also show Ring camera feeds, control smart-home devices and jump to scenes in thousands of Prime Video movies.
Amazon says hands-free devices use on-device wake-word detection before sending audio to the cloud, and users can disable microphones, turn off Follow Up Mode, and review or delete Alexa and Fire TV data settings.
The free rollout covers many Fire TV features, but Amazon still charges non-Prime users $19.99 a month for the broader Alexa+ plan that extends to Echo devices and extra capabilities such as routines and advanced Home Modes.