Amazon Alexa+ — the next-gen assistant now available in Canada

Ethan Cole
Ethan Cole I’m Ethan Cole, a digital journalist based in New York. I write about how technology shapes culture and everyday life — from AI and machine learning to cloud services, cybersecurity, hardware, mobile apps, software, and Web3. I’ve been working in tech media for over 7 years, covering everything from big industry news to indie app launches. I enjoy making complex topics easy to understand and showing how new tools actually matter in the real world. Outside of work, I’m a big fan of gaming, coffee, and sci-fi books. You’ll often find me testing a new mobile app, playing the latest indie game, or exploring AI tools for creativity.
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Amazon Alexa+ — the next-gen assistant now available in Canada

The Amazon Alexa+ rollout continues, and Canada has become the first region outside the United States to gain access to Amazon’s upgraded digital assistant. The new version, first introduced earlier this year, aims to make voice interactions far more natural. As a result, users can now speak to their devices in the same way they would talk to another person.

Amazon Alexa+ brings natural-language controls to Canadian homes

With Amazon Alexa+, everyday commands sound more conversational. Instead of issuing direct instructions, people can express how they feel or what they need. For instance, someone might say, “I’m cold,” and the assistant will adjust the heating. Similarly, saying “It’s dark” prompts Alexa+ to turn on the lights.

This shift toward intuitive interaction is one of the defining upgrades of the new assistant. It moves beyond task execution and begins interpreting context, tone and intent much more effectively.

Amazon Alexa+ understands Canadian culture and local habits

According to Amazon, Amazon Alexa+ has been trained with a deep focus on Canadian expressions, topics and regional preferences. It recognizes the country’s local sports teams, artists, and cultural references. Moreover, it connects with services Canadians use frequently.

Through this integration, the assistant can:

  • Make restaurant reservations via OpenTable
  • Provide news updates from CBC
  • Recommend local options based on user preferences
  • Help with purchases on Canadian e-commerce platforms

Amazon also confirmed that support for Yelp, Uber Eats, Suno and TripAdvisor will be available soon.

How Amazon Alexa+ adapts to each member of the household

One of the key upgrades of Amazon Alexa+ is personalization. The assistant can adjust its tone for different users and propose tailored routines. For example, after noticing a stressful workday, Alexa+ might recommend a meditation session. It can also remember dietary restrictions, which helps when suggesting restaurants or building shopping lists.

Because of this personalization, the assistant becomes more helpful over time. It observes patterns, learns preferences, and suggests actions that fit each user’s habits.

Shopping and discovery features powered by Amazon Alexa+

The assistant also supports improved shopping tools. It can compare product features, summarize customer reviews and find items with the best prices. Additionally, Alexa+ can build grocery lists while taking dietary needs into account. Therefore, users spend less time searching manually and more time focusing on what matters.

Early Access availability and pricing for Amazon Alexa+

At the moment, Amazon Alexa+ is free for those joining the Early Access program. However, there is one requirement: users must purchase one of the new Echo devices — Echo Show 8, Echo Show 11, Echo Dot Max or Echo Studio.

Once Early Access ends, the assistant will remain free for Prime members. Everyone else will need a subscription priced at $28 CAD per month.

Why Amazon Alexa+ marks a major shift for smart assistants

The introduction of Amazon Alexa+ in Canada highlights a wider change in smart-home technology. Assistants are moving from command-based responses to conversational understanding. They interpret feelings, habits and lifestyle choices. As a result, they become more supportive companions rather than simple voice-controlled tools.

Canada’s early inclusion in the rollout signals Amazon’s confidence in the region. It also shows how quickly voice technology is evolving toward more adaptive and context-aware systems.

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