Amazon has introduced a new way to use its AI shopping assistant Alexa for Shopping. Now selected customers will be able to get help related to shopping by sending text messages instead of giving voice commands to Alexa. With the help of this feature, tasks like searching products, comparing prices of different items, keeping an eye on deals and completing purchases can be done.
At present, this facility is being provided to some selected customers in America through invite. Amazon says that it will be extended to more users in the coming weeks. However, the company has not yet given any information regarding its availability in other markets including India.
From product discovery to purchase via message
Through the new feature, customers can ask about the products by sending messages to Alexa as per their needs. The assistant will help find and compare different options so customers can make the right decision before purchasing.
Apart from this, users will also be able to track deals and price changes on any product. This can reduce the need to repeatedly check product listings on Amazon.
Alexa can also be asked to complete a purchase on behalf of the customer. This means that this assistant will not be limited to just finding the product, but will also help in the buying process.
Amazon’s new initiative amid increasing competition for AI shopping
The competition among tech companies is intensifying regarding assistants that provide online shopping with the help of AI. Meanwhile, Amazon is also taking strict steps regarding the access of other AI agents on its marketplace.
Recently the company had blocked Meta’s AI shopping agent Muse from accessing its online store. According to reports, Amazon said Muse appeared to be accessing its store without permission and saving customers’ login credentials.
Amazon is also in a legal dispute with Perplexity’s Comet shopping agent. The company had received a court order in March to ban the agent, but the US Appeals Court overturned the ban in August. The matter is still going on.
Amazon is further improving its AI shopping tool by adding text chat feature to Alexa for Shopping. This will give customers a new option to find and buy products.
