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## Alexa+ Unveiled: Navigating Amazon’s Next-Generation Smart Assistant
Amazon is rolling out a significantly enhanced iteration of its beloved smart assistant, dubbed Alexa+, promising a marked leap in capability and user interaction. “Alexa+ is significantly more capable than the original Alexa, so we’re working to make it available to as many customers as possible,” stated an Amazon spokesperson. This strategic deployment includes proactive communication with users regarding the impending update and clear instructions on how to revert to the classic Alexa experience if preferred.
This initial push prioritizes Prime members with compatible devices for early access to Alexa+. While currently complimentary, Alexa+ will retain its free status for Prime subscribers upon its full public launch. However, non-Prime members should anticipate a monthly subscription fee of $20 once the service officially launches. The list of eligible devices is notably comprehensive, encompassing first-generation models of the Echo, Echo Dot, Echo Show, Echo Spot, and even the Echo Plus. A broad spectrum of Fire TV and Fire tablet devices are also compatible, meaning a substantial number of Amazon ecosystem users, particularly Prime members, could soon find Alexa+ integrated across multiple platforms in their homes.
## Taking Control: Reverting to the Classic Alexa Experience
For those who either didn’t opt for the upgrade or find the new experience less appealing, switching back to the original Alexa is a straightforward process.
### A Simple Command: Switching Back Seamlessly
To revert your device, simply address your Alexa device with the command: **“Alexa, exit Alexa Plus.”** This command will instantly restore the original Alexa voice and interaction style on all supported Echo devices. You’ll observe a return to a more traditional assistant response, moving away from the more fluid, dialogue-oriented conversation style characteristic of Alexa+.
### What to Expect When You Revert
Upon reversion, you won’t forfeit essential functionalities. Personally, I’ve found that my core interaction patterns, how I phrase questions, remain largely consistent between the two versions. The on-screen and voice interface largely returns to a familiar state (though potentially with subtle updates, as I’m testing on the latest Echo Show 11). Amazon does issue a cautionary note, advising that some feature settings within the Alexa app may require adjustments after reverting. However, the specifics of these changes and their location within the app’s settings remain somewhat obscure.
If you’re not a Prime member and weren’t automatically upgraded to Alexa+, you can still effortlessly activate or deactivate the service via the Alexa app or by simply asking your device to switch to Alexa+. The previous waitlist and associated sign-up page have been abolished. For detailed information regarding your Alexa+ access and to manage its controls, navigate to the “Memberships & Subscriptions” section within your Amazon account settings.
## The Sonic Evolution: Alexa’s Voices, Old and New
Even if you request to switch back to the “old” Alexa, the question arises: does it truly represent the pre-upgrade version?
### The “Original” Voice: A Subtle Metamorphosis?
While the voice associated with the classic Alexa—Feminine 2 (also known as “Relaxed”)—remains the same, our team, alongside numerous users on platforms like Reddit, has detected subtle alterations in its vocal inflections. This gives it a discernible departure from its former auditory profile. Given that Feminine 2 is also available within Alexa+, it’s plausible that the voice itself has undergone updates to better align with the more conversational paradigm that Alexa+ aims to deliver.
### Meet the New Default: “Upbeat” or “Sassy Teenager”?
Some users have expressed dissatisfaction with the new default voice, Feminine 1, which the Alexa app describes as “upbeat.” However, it has colloquially been referred to by others as the “teenage girl” voice. (My editor, who is a parent to a teenager, even calls it the “sassy teenager” voice.) The new Alexa indeed exhibits a distinctly more youthful timbre, coupled with a cadence that some perceive as bordering on sarcastic. In total, Alexa+ offers a comprehensive selection of eight voices—four feminine and four masculine—each succinctly described in the app with a single adjective like “Inviting” or “Warm,” providing users with more personalized options for their smart assistant.