Amazon is rolling out new shopping features for its artificial intelligence (AI) assistant Alexa+.By completing this form, you agree to receive marketing communications from PYMNTS and to the sharing of your information with our sponsor, if applicable, in accordance with our Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions .Complete the form to unlock this article and enjoy unlimited free access to all PYMNTS content — no additional logins required.As reported Tuesday (Dec. 9) by TechCrunch, these features include a ...

Hardware & AI Innovation - Amazon's new hardware generation features custom silicon designed specifically for Alexa products, enhancing sensing capabilities through cameras, microphones, and Wi-Fi presence detection [1][2] - The new Alexa devices are powered by AI, utilizing LLMs for limitless knowledge and conversational understanding, aiming for ambient AI experiences [5][6][7] - The new hardware boasts improved sound quality, seamless integration into homes, and enhanced microphones and sensing capabilities for an optimal user experience [2][3][23] Customer Experience & Trust - Amazon emphasizes customer control over their data, offering opt-in/opt-out options and anonymizing data to build trust [10][11] - The company believes the new devices' design, usefulness, and depth of knowledge will attract a new customer base to Alexa Plus [13][14] - Amazon aims to make AI useful for people by building well-designed devices that seamlessly fit into the home and provide a delightful user experience [16] Product Strategy & Affordability - Amazon offers a range of products at various price points, from $49 to $499, to cater to every customer's needs and preferences [18] - Alexa Plus is currently in early access, with over 10 million people using it for feedback, and is not yet a paid service [20] - Access to Alexa Plus is not limited to the latest hardware; it is designed to work with products dating back to 2016, covering approximately 99% of the customer base [22] Business Objectives - Amazon aims to create the next big business through its device division, focusing on growth and profitability [25] - Amazon offers a broad range of device categories, including Ring, Kindle, Echo, and Fire TV, each considered equally important and interconnected [27][28]

Core Insights - Amazon.com Inc. is recognized as a top stock to buy on NASDAQ, particularly favored by hedge funds [1] - The resignation of Karthik Ramakrishnan, a key figure in the development of artificial general intelligence and the Alexa voice assistant, marks a significant change in Amazon's AI leadership [2][3] - Amazon is increasing its investment in AI, having invested approximately $8 billion in Anthropic, which develops the Claude model used in Alexa and an internal chatbot [3] Company Developments - Karthik Ramakrishnan's departure follows other senior AI leadership exits, including Vasi Philomin and Jon Jones, indicating a trend of turnover in Amazon's AI division [2][3] - Amazon's business model includes retail sales of consumer products, advertising, and subscription services through both online and physical stores [4] Investment Context - Despite the potential of Amazon as an investment, there are opinions suggesting that other AI stocks may offer greater upside potential with less downside risk [5]

AI & Voice Technology - The new Alexa is powered by AI, backed by LLMs, offering limitless knowledge and conversational abilities [2] - Ambient AI allows users to have conversations with Echo devices at any time [2] - Voice interaction with Alexa is distraction-free and allows for seamless task completion, such as adding events to a calendar [4] - Voice interaction offers a different and engaging way to interact with technology [5] User Experience - Using voice assistants like Alexa can reduce distractions compared to using smartphones, especially in social settings [3] - The immediacy of using a smartphone for Gen AI tools is highlighted, but the ambient nature of Echo devices offers a different experience [1]

Core Insights - Meta and Amazon are leading the technology news cycle with significant product announcements that could impact various sectors and smaller companies [1][9] - Meta introduced new smart glasses and a gesture-control band, while Amazon is expected to unveil new Echo devices and updates to Fire TV [1][4] Meta's Announcements - Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses feature waveguide displays, live translation, and integrated cameras, aiming to make wearables mainstream [4] - Meta Neural Band is a wristband that utilizes nerve signals for gesture control, indicating a vision for screenless computing [4] - These products align with Meta's strategy to control both hardware and user interaction with devices [4] Amazon's Upcoming Event - Amazon's Fall Hardware Event on September 30 is anticipated to showcase new Echo speakers, Fire TV updates, and potentially a color Kindle Scribe [6] - The event is expected to strengthen Amazon's smart home ecosystem and enhance its competitive position in the streaming market [6] Impact on Smaller Companies - Product launches from major companies like Meta and Amazon can create ripple effects in supply chains, benefiting smaller firms [2][5] - Speculative penny stocks to monitor include: - 3D Systems (DDD) for potential demand in 3D printing related to new hardware [5] - SciSparc Ltd., known for strong reactions to tech news [5] - Visionary Education Technology, which may benefit from AR and VR adoption in education [5] - ATRenew (RERE), which focuses on recycling and resale, likely to see increased demand from hardware trade-ins [6] Market Trends and Opportunities - New product announcements can drive demand for suppliers of components like chips, lenses, and batteries [7] - They can also create new demand for peripherals and confirm market trends that investors may pursue in the small-cap space [7] - Observing the ripple effects of these announcements can help investors identify trends and opportunities before they become mainstream [9]