New Amazon Eccho Subscription Service (A Lady Plus)

Got the one that looks like a baseball. Not sure which it is but probably will not get the show. Also will see when amazon have their special deals in June or July. Do have prime.

The lady A whose name cannot be mentioned for fear of a hundred ears pricking up across the land.
More like a millian ears. Interesting wording.

I here that the new lady A has a new voice. Is there a video/audio clip of the same? I would love to know how my future robotic AI loard of speakers is going to sound.

Hope is a choice. I love my lady A voice and prefer her over any other voice.

Not sure about any new voices, but there are quite a few voices you can choose from. My device currently sounds a lot like the Australian-English Karen voice from voiceover, Karen premium that is.

Hi,
Yep, I heard about this. The thing that made me take an interest is you can buy stuff from seemingly any website, or at least, that's my understanding. And apparently it'll work with Ticketmaster in some capacity. I hope you can buy things through it, because buying on Ticketmaster is totally inaccessible. I've only got an Echo Dot, so it won't work with this, and I actually hate Alexa as it is at the moment. Every single skill I now try on the Echo Dot asks me to pay a subscription, I'm talking about the games and quizzes that used to give me quite a lot for free. But I've never found any practical use for Alexa as it is at the moment. I can live without quizzes and games. I bought it to listen to music, but the sound really wasn't that great. I'm hoping the Alexa website will be able to do everything the Echo Show can do, because I don't want to have to buy a device that I might only need once in a blue moon to access inaccessible stuff. If it means blind people can buy stuff through Ticketmaster independently, that really will be a game changer as far as I'm concerned.

You all are doing better than I. I don't even have Bluetooth with my Alexa device, as I have a first GEN model. The only positive thing I could say about mine, is that it has an excellent speaker, since the device is about the size of a Monster Energy Drink can. Ha ha

, puts out quite a bit of sound! Got mine for 17 dollars on Prime Day.

It'll be interesting to see which non-echo Show speakers will support Alexa Plus, let alone Amazon's own tablets (which I hope will be able to have more ram to make the screen reader voice work better!)
Um, hopefully?

Amazon has been phasing out the Alexa web portal for over the past couple of years. It is now completely gone.

I have the disk chaped echo dot 3rd gen, and the baseball chaped dot 4th gen. And I have a smart audio-video system with surround-sound in my living room. There is a echo skill for this system, and if I was subscribed to Amazon music, I could say, "Alexa, play 'This Land is Your Land' by Woody Guthrie on the speakers," and the AVR would start playing the song. So the poor quality of the echo dot speakers is a non-factor for me.

However, what really annoys me is that the echo dots will start playing music spontaneously and I have to go to the specific device to tell it to stop, otherwise, the echo dot that did not start playing simply responds, "You can control Amazon music in the Amazon Echo app on your iPhone."

feofil

One thing, though I'm in the UK and the release for Alexa Plus is (before end of year), is that the show can be used as a fire TV and works with the remote. This could be very interesting for a bedroom, for either the 15 or 21 inch. Though, maybe I'm just trying to find new tech to play with to fire off that dopamine I crave.

I am hoping, at some point, the new alexa will come to Sonos. I've got the Roam 2 and, aside from some frustrations when moving networks and having to re up the alexa connection when I'm staying else where, it is a really excellent alexa speaker, bluetooth and, obviously, part of the whole Sonos thing.

I've not herd amazon's more premium speakers, but I'm guessing it's relative. Everything I've bought from them is functional but it seems cost is the driving factor over quality. A Sonos era 300 with a super smart alexa which can jump to a Roam when moving about the house, sounds awesome.

Also, note, there is going to be a new app for Alexa plus for IOS and a web based version of it. I think it's going to be pretty huge. It can access the internet, maybe microsoft on the web, for example, so I wonder how it will fair against apple's offering which, let's face it, is failing to launch.

Alexa is a great product, I just don't think it's natively in a good form factor. there is talk of Amazon expanding in to higher tier products to compete with the likes of Sonos, so I guess, watch this space.

Hi SeasonKing,
I was on Amazon, and there's a sample voice video clip. Sounds like a real person. Since I'm a Prime member, I might download the app, when it comes out, and see if I'll use it. I don't have any of the A Lady devices in my home.

I'll search for video.

The original post did say you initially need an echo show to enable it, just a reminder since you said you presently have no A lady devices.

Thank you, Icosa!

I've been hearing about this quite a bit lately. From what I understand, it's rolling out to devices with screens first, but eventually, the majority of devices from the 2nd gen dot on up will supposedly gain access to it. The way it's been worded confuses me a bit; some sources imply that you have to own an echo show, but I have no interest in getting one because the dots I have are meeting my needs just fine. So, I hope its just a matter of waiting a few extra months for the service to get rolled out to screenless echo devices. If I didn't have Amazon Prime, though, I wouldn't even remotely consider paying $20 a month for this service. If it's included in prime, it might be fun to check out, but the last thing I need is another subscription fee, and from what I've heard in demos so far, $20 is way, way too much for what it does, at least in my little opinion.

I just read Amazon's announcement. They said they're rolling A lady plus out to prime subscribers in waves and prioritising echo show owners, so basically everyone with prime will get it eventually regardless of what if any echo devices they have but echo show owners will get it first. While that seems to be a tactic to goose the sales of the show, Amazon even encourage people to buy a show to get earlier access, it seems like noone's going to be left out in the longer term.

I have no desire to own an Alexa device with a screen, with the exception of my next Fire TV that I will eventually own, and I also have way too many subscriptions as it is.

I have an Echo Pop, and I got notified about the next-gen Alexa yesterday. Alexa asked me if I wanted to be notified when it is available for me, so here's hoping this means when it is available for my device. I can't see paying any more than what I already pay for Prime for this, but if it's included with my existing subscription and works with my existing device, I'll certainly try it.

Here are some parts directly from the official announcement, I'll emphasise they say all prime members.
Quote
Alexa+ costs $19.99 per month, but all Amazon Prime members will get it for free.
end quote
And
Quote
Alexa+ will start rolling out in the U.S. in the next few weeks during an early access period, and subsequently in waves over the coming months. We will prioritize Echo Show 8, 10, 15, and 21 device owners in the early access period.
end quote
They go on to say this, I'll emphasise they specify early access not any access
Quote
If you don’t have one of those devices, and want to be among the first to experience Alexa+, you can buy one now. If you want to put your name on the list to be considered for early access, please visit www.amazon.com/newalexa
End quote
They repeatedly say early access or first to access. I'm confident they'll offer this to people with or without any echo device, screen or otherwise. The only question in my mind is whether it will be available on third party devices with A lady support such as Sonos or whether it will be restricted to first party devices and apps.

This app is already so useful on my iPhone, I can't wait to see what it's like with Alexa plus. Otherwise, I will have to finally upgrade my poor old echo. As I have mentioned before, I have a first GEN model.
Sigh
I will miss the speaker on that device. It's so good, compared to the little hockey puck shaped newer device models.

I don't see why an older echo would stop you getting this. Amazon would like you to purchase their devices of course but more than that they would prefer you use the A lady than a competitor, they want your data and the more you use her the more likely you are to buy new echo devices down the road. I don't even see why first gen echoes wouldn't get the new A lady plus since all of the work is being done in the cloud, chances are they're still making security updates to the first gen devices and all it has to handle is the same voice recognition it already does.

I just received a notification from my Alexa device the other day, reminding me that Alexa + was coming soon, and would I like to be notified when it was available to me.

So, here is to hoping I can still use my old 1st gen Alexa. Because I hate replacing a device, if said device still works. 🙂

Guy that I follow on a podcast got the show echo to test it and he stated there was so many adds that he return it. More adds than bugs on a NY hotel.

User: "Alexa, what time is it?"
Alexa plus: "for a limited time, you can buy the latest Fire Stick 4K Max, only $39.99. While Supplies last."
User: "Alexa !!! What. Time. Is. It?"
Alexa plus: "10% off the latest Apple Watch. By now while Supplies last!"
User: 🤯
User: "Hey Siri, what time is it?"
Siri: "You currently have no timers set."
User: 🤦‍♂️
User: "Argghhh!!!"
*Goes to look for trusty Abacus*

Probably both visual and audio. Regarding podcast is by Stephen Robles
@stephenrobles He did Apple Insider podcast now he has another which I can not recall. Is about tech.

Yes. That it is.

Hate to be the one to tell you this but A lady already has ads. It'll give a notification sound, when you check it'll say it looks like it's time to reorder thing you previously ordered a couple times would you like me to add it to your cart?

Once in a blue moon. The AI more than than bugs on a NY hotel.

I absolutely agree, but the precedent has already been set with barely a squeak of complaint. To Amazon the question is now not whether they can force ads on us but how many they can force on us before the backlash outweighs the benefits. It's executive and marketing thinking and it's kind of... special, not in a good way.

Apparently, Amazon started rolling out Alexa+ to "a select few" yesterday, but reports are coming in that there are still some technical hurdles when it comes to some of the features showcased last month. Personally, I'll believe the rollout is starting when I've experienced it myself.

Just wanted to give an update about the whole Alexa+ situation.
Amazon currently claims that "hundreds of thousands of users" are actively testing Alexa+, and they are "constantly inviting" people to try it out, according to tech news sites. How many of those are Amazon employees and their families, I don't know... but two months and a whole lot of confusion later after the rollout, only 2 people and a hundred AI's post to YouTube.
Second, still no word on screenless devices. I've started a social media/mail-merge campaign to generate community chatter and bring down the advocacy organizations down on Amazon. Their commitment to inclusive design is clearly in question here.
Happy Memorial Day to those who celebrate!

Interestingly enough, if you say, "Alexa, enable Alexa plus", you'll get a message. For me, I got a message that Alexa plus was not supported on my device. Granted, I have a first gin Alexa device, you know the big ones that are about the size of the original Monster energy drink cans?
Still, it was an interesting response, as I did not think anything would happen.
Try this out yourselves, and see what you get. 😎🥤

Given a large proportion of echo devices have always b een audio only with no screen this isn't even just an accessibility issue, it affects a large proportion of users with disabilities or otherwise.

apprciate the support, Icosa. I'm creating a multi-layered campaign to bring that barrier down real quick.

I think I mentioned this before, though it is launching on the show devices first, it won't be limited to them. It will also be supported on audio only devices as well as web and a new app for IOS and android.

I'd suggest waiting until it is released fully before gathering pitch forks.

I know you think it is. But as Oliver has pointed out, it will come to devices without a screen. Even if it didn't, this is no different than having say, a program written specifically for an iPad, and not being able to run it on your phone. That's not an accessibility issue, because nobody can run it on their phone, sighted or not.

An example would be Logic. On the phone, you get Logic Remote, which let's you control some things on Logic, but on an iPad, you get a version of Logic. I assume this is because of processing power and possibly screen format, the iPad is bigger and you need that space to display things. It's not discrimination against the blind or an accessibility issue that I can't run Logic on my phone.

When this comes to audio only devices, it will work exactly the same as it will on a device with a screen. Also, you could buy a show right now and get access to it, if you wanted to. Well, I assume so, I don't know how you get it, if you have to apply or wait until they roll it out to your region or something. But the point is, you are perfectly capable of getting adevice that can run it right now andrunning it.

My results with an echo flex said it doesn't know how to help me with that, my echo spot simply stayed silent. I'm not sure what if anything that means.

Thanks for the thoughtful perspective. I hear what you’re saying—but this really is about accessibility.

This isn’t about a “program” that simply runs on one platform and not another due to hardware constraints. It’s about a voice-first AI assistant—one that is entirely audio-based in nature—being restricted to a device class that’s inherently visual.

That’s a very different thing.

Echo Dots and other screenless devices were designed for voice-first interaction, and blind users rely on them specifically because they don’t need a display. Telling blind users to “just get a Show” isn’t a fair workaround—it’s like asking a wheelchair user to just take the stairs while the ramp’s being built.

It also assumes that every blind user wants (or can afford) to invest in a new device just to preview a feature that should have been voice-accessible from the beginning.
And yes—Amazon says it will “eventually” come to other devices. But in accessibility, eventually is not good enough. Exclusion during launch is still exclusion.

So while the Logic example makes sense in an app ecosystem, Alexa+ is supposed to be ubiquitous, inclusive, and voice-native. Launching it behind a screen for a primarily non-visual user base is the accessibility misstep I’m raising awareness about.

No pitchforks. Just asking the right questions while the rollout is still happening.

You seem to be assuming that, because its on the Show, it requires a screen. First, the Show, like all other devices, only has voice as input, so far as I know. That means it's at least taking voice commands like every other device. Here's Amazon's own demo video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DeHX99wycug

It's also giving voice output. So while I'm not sure *why* it's only initially available on the Show, it doesn't seem like the reason is because it's only going to give back visual output, thus locking us out as blind consumers.

Additionally, no, telling you that you can buy a Show isn't like telling somebody in a wheelchair to take the stairs. *If* the service only responds visually, you'd have a point, but according to that demo, that's not true. So again, if you owned a Show and were part of the group that could get it, you should be able to use it right now.

Thanks again for engaging. I’m not assuming Alexa+ is purely visual—I’m pointing out that its availability is being gated through a screen-based device.

Yes, the Echo Show takes voice input. But its design and the initial rollout strategy still prioritize users who rely on visual interaction. The very fact that Amazon’s demo is on a Show and not on screenless Echo devices already signals who the “primary” audience is.

It’s not that blind users literally can’t use an Echo Show—it’s that many of us:
• Don’t own one
• Don’t need one
• And historically haven’t been encouraged to buy one, because screenless Echo devices were marketed as the more accessible, audio-first option

So when a flagship upgrade like Alexa+ only launches on Echo Show, it effectively delays access for the blind community—even if it’s temporary. That’s the accessibility gap I’m calling out.

Accessibility isn’t just about whether we can technically use something—it’s about equal access at the same time and with the same ease. And in this case, we’re starting behind the starting line.
So here's your answer: Does Alexa+ depend on a screen? Technically, no. But practically, that screen is the velvet rope.

But see, and thanks also for an excellent discussion, I don't think it's a "velvet rope", and here's why.

*Anybody*, blind or sighted or with tentacles, who wants to use this new service right now has to own an Echo Show. If they choose not to own one, or buy it especially for this service, something totally understandable in our case, then they're going to have to wait until it hits devices other than the Show.

Also, I'm extremely doubtful of the claim that the non-screen devices were marketed specifically at us as blind people as being more accessible or something. In fact I'm pretty doubtful that they were marketed to us in any way whatsoever. The first Gen. Echo came out in 2015 and the Show came out in 2018. But the thing is, as ablind person, I * might* actually want to buy a show. Why? From Wikipedia:

In June 2018 the Amazon Echo Show was released to the public as a device with a 7-inch screen used for streaming media, making video calls and the use of Alexa. The second generation of the device was made available in November 2018 and features a 10 inches (25 cm) screen with improved speakers."

I actually tried to get my device to play music from Youtube pretty early on, it wouldn't of course because you need a show for that. I don't know that I'd buy it *just* for that, but honestly, it would be handy to have it stream Youtube by itself if I wanted it on a speaker, rather than messing with Bluetooth. The video calling may or may not make sense.

But again, the screen is just adding screen stuff, it's not changing the functionality of the device in a way that makes it any less useful for us, and for some people, it might be a welcome addition. I totes get why a lot of blind people wouldn't own one. And yes, that does mean we can't access the service until it's rolled out to our devices. But the point I'm making here is two-fold.

1. Some blind people might actually benefit from the extra capabilities of the Show, so it's not obvious that show means a thing blind people won't want because it has a screen that's useless for them.

2. Right now, we're all in the same boat if we don't own a Show, for whatever reason. Are there sighted people running out in droves to buy Shows, just to get this amazing new service? I doubt it.

So does this impact us? Sure. But it's because we're making a choice, we don't want to pay more money for a Show, because we don't think being able to play Youtube videos on it or make video calls is worth it. Or maybe we just assume screen equals something pointless for us, and we don't even know what it does. I know sighted people with Echo devices and I don't think any of them own a Show, although I'll have to try and remember to ask them about it now.

Anyway, while it's entirely understandable for a blind person not to spend extra money on a Show, I just don't think Amazon is doing anything that's a problem here. Blind or sighted, if I want this service now instead of later, I need to own a Show, and that means buying one, if I don't own one already. If I say, nope, nothing the Show has is worth twice an Echo or four times what an Echo Dot costs, great. I'm waiting for this service because I'm not buying a new device just because something shiny came along, like all the other sensible people who refuse to by a new device just because something shiny came along.

P.S.

While I'm writing a novel, I tried the first command from the demo, namely "remember that Mary likes Greek and Indian food but also that she's a vegetarian". It didn't say "OK, I'll remember that for Mary", no, you're remembering it for me, presumably Mary already knows this stuff about herself unless she has that amnesia thingy from that dumb Adam Sandler movie.

What it did say though was something like, "OK, I'm saving your note". Then I asked it what my notes were, and it read it back to me. I guess the difference is that I have to remember it's in a note and ask for my notes instead of going, "hey dumb device, what kind of food does Mary not hate"?

While I can't speak for anybody else, I'm pretty sure I, as a human being, can wait for such a feature, amazing and profoundly life-changing as it will undoubtedly turn out to be. They missed my birthday, but maybe Amazon can roll out that kind of awesomeness as a wedding anniversary present, or maybe a Christmas present, if they're still working out the bugs when our anniversary comes round.

“

... I'm waiting for this service because I'm not buying a new device just because something shiny came along, like all the other sensible people who refuse to by a new device just because something shiny came along.

”

you mean like absolutely no one on AppleVis, who went out and got an iPhone 16 as soon as it launched, just because it had a camera button, and proposed AI features? 🤔😇

sorry, I couldn't resist. On a sidenote, I would totally take one of these Amazon show devices, if I could afford it. But these things go from 150 and up, and I'm currently trying to say for a new smart phone. However, it would be a mean media consumption device, if I did have one. 🫣

Seriously, the Lady A echo dot is so comfortably sitting on a shelf in my bathroom plugged into a wall socket so that she cannot run away and sings me a song when I shower and do the needful on the toilet. She is very popular with my 8 year old too, but the brat would not explore any of it's skills, jus says Lady A, play this song. If it were not an internet connected device/ speaker it would be a great paper weight. I seriously need to reconsider what I bring into my digital life, currently evaluating the Meta AI Ray Ban Glasses

You can read about them on my blog, subscribe by mail if you like the non-sense I publish there: https://www.mister-kayne.com/2024/10/ray-ban-meta-smart-glasses-promising.html

If I ask my echo devices to enable Alexa plus, they tell me that I'm already on the list and will be informed once I've officially been granted access to the plus features. We'll see what happens.

The echo show is quite a cool little device if you're looking for a TV variant. I've considered one as a bedroom TV, but think BBC is still inaccessible on the amazon platform.

Can someone start a campaign about that please?

Also, sunsets. They need to be more accessible. don't get me started on sunrises.

Thanks for the thoughtful (and entertaining) replies! I really do appreciate a good, honest discussion, especially one that brings humor to the table. That said, I want to gently challenge the idea that “we’re all in the same boat here."

On paper, yes—anyone without a Show has to wait. But in practice, the situation isn’t so equal. A sighted user can walk into a store, buy a Show, and start using Alexa+ immediately with a fully supported interface. A blind user? We’re expected to spend more money for a device that was never designed with us in mind—and often barely works for us at all.

VoiceView, Amazon’s screen reader for the Echo Show, feels several years behind. The gestures are inconsistent, the lag is real, and typing an email or password on a touch keyboard during setup is an accessibility obstacle course. So we’re not just paying more—we’re buying into an experience that’s visually optimized and only minimally adapted for screen reader users.

And to your point about accessibility marketing: no, Amazon may not have explicitly advertised the Echo Dot as a “blind user” device—but let’s not pretend that the Dot hasn’t become a de facto accessibility tool in the blind community. It’s affordable, efficient, and voice-first. That’s not a trend. That’s a use case Amazon should be aware of by now.

So when they gatekeep Alexa+ behind the Show, even temporarily, it’s not just a delay. It’s a strategic decision that sidelines blind users from something we’re already equipped to use. And the whole “well, we all have to wait” line? It only holds up if you assume the Show is equally usable to everyone—which it’s not.

The Equal Echo campaign isn’t about demanding something shiny. It’s about making sure a voice assistant stays true to its core: voice-first, inclusive, and screen-optional. That’s not asking for special treatment. That’s asking for equal access to a shared future.

Good one! Honestly, if anyone was gonna make sunsets accessible, it would probably be The Equal Echo. We just need to teach Alexa to describe them like an audiobook narrated by Jim Dale. 😂