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After blocking Muse, Amazon now lets users text Alexa to help them shop
TechCrunch • • business
Key Points:
- Amazon is introducing a new feature allowing select U.S. customers to chat with Alexa via text messages to assist with shopping, including searching, adding items to the cart, and purchasing.
- This texting capability expands on Alexa's recent shopping-focused upgrades, enabling users to manage lists, track prices, compare products, and check order status using natural language queries.
- Users can also share photos of items or outfits to find similar products on Amazon, with Alexa learning preferences over time to provide personalized suggestions.
- The feature is launching ahead of the holiday shopping season, with an invitation text being sent to select customers and a waitlist available for others to gain access in the coming weeks.
- This move follows Amazon's decision to block Meta’s Muse AI from querying its site in September, signaling a strategic focus on its own AI shopping tools.
