# Alexa Plus gets AI upgrade for smarter home integrations Amazon enhances Alexa Plus' ability to handle complex instructions with new AI features. - **Source:** [The Verge (theverge.com)](https://www.theverge.com) - **Published:** 2026-07-23 - **Topic:** [Business](https://brifing.si/c/business) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/187b86dc-b479-4491-ae52-ea343a56e8ee ## Alexa Plus' new capabilities Amazon's update to Alexa Plus introduces advanced smart home interactions, allowing seamless integration with devices from Bosch, Whirlpool and others. The system can now understand complex commands and automatically apply correct settings. ## Practical use case In Amazon's example, when a user says 'My kid's soccer jersey needs deep cleaning but the tag says cold wash,' Alexa Plus scans the washing machine's programs to select the optimal setting, showcasing contextual understanding. ## Developer toolkit The new integrations are powered by Amazon's AI-powered developer tools, which simplify connecting devices with previously unsupported features to Alexa Plus, significantly expanding compatibility. ## Model Context Protocol By adopting the open-source Model Context Protocol (MCP), Amazon is enabling deeper third-party service integrations. This will allow platforms like Uber and Expedia to offer more sophisticated voice interactions. ## Upcoming integrations Major companies including Canva, Priceline and Lyft will launch Alexa Plus integrations in 2024. Priceline will enable hotel searches and bookings, with Amazon Wallet payment support coming to multiple platforms. ## The future of AI assistants This update signals the expanding role of AI assistants in daily life. Amazon's move represents a strategic push to deliver more contextual and personalized experiences, intensifying competition in the smart assistant space. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.theverge.com/tech/970399/amazon-alexa-plus-ai-update-smart-home-devices — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._