Amazon announced in 2026 an update to its Alexa Plus AI assistant that expands its ability to connect with smart home devices and third-party services, giving it the ability to handle more complex, multi-step instructions.
The update adds compatibility with devices from Bosch, Delta, Ecovacs, iRobot, Yale Home, Whirlpool, Tapo, Eufy, and others. Alexa Plus can now automatically route requests to the correct device. In one example shared by Amazon, a user can say, “Alexa, my kid’s soccer jersey could use a deep clean, but the tag says cold wash only,” and the assistant will navigate the washer’s cycle options and select the appropriate setting on its own.
These new smart home integrations are powered by Amazon’s new AI developer toolkit, which the company says makes it easier for device makers to connect to Alexa Plus, including those with capabilities that were not previously supported.
Amazon originally launched the revamped Alexa Plus in February, with support limited to a handful of third-party services including Ticketmaster, OpenTable, Uber, Expedia, Yelp, and a few others. To broaden that reach, Amazon is adopting the Model Context Protocol (MCP), an open-source standard that allows AI models to connect to external systems and tools.
Through MCP, additional companies — including Canva, Headspace, Priceline, Lyft, Cengage, Virgin Atlantic, and Weekend — are expected to launch Alexa Plus integrations later this year. Priceline will allow users to browse hotel options and book trips directly through the assistant. Priceline, Atom Tickets, Cengage, Fandango, and Taskrabbit will also support payments through Amazon Wallet.
The expanded integrations could make Alexa Plus a more central hub for everyday tasks, from managing home appliances to booking travel and purchasing event tickets, all through voice commands.
Source: The Verge