Amazon Auto-Upgrades Echo to Alexa Plus, Users Divided Over Forced AI Shift

• Amazon is automatically upgrading eligible Echo devices to Alexa Plus, its new AI-powered voice assistant, without prior user opt-in.
• The upgrade, built on large language models, aims for more conversational interactions, better context understanding, and complex request handling.
• Users can revert to the older Alexa by saying “Alexa, exit Alexa+,” but there's no option to decline the upgrade before installation.
• User reactions are mixed, with complaints about slower response times, an altered voice, and increased promotional messaging for Alexa Plus features.
• This situation mirrors challenges faced by Google with Gemini-powered smart home features, highlighting user demand for speed and reliability over new AI capabilities.

Why It Matters: Amazon's forced Alexa Plus upgrade divides users, raising questions about AI integration and user control.