Amazon's planned AI-powered Alexa upgrade faces significant challenges, according to recently leaked internal documents. The main issues include:

Response Time Issues

• Significant latency problems between user requests and Alexa's responses
• Internal concerns about customer frustration if released in current state

Technical Limitations

• Compatibility issues with older Echo devices affecting ~3.8 million users
• Only 300 Skills available at launch (compared to current 100,000)
• Lower-than-target customer satisfaction scores (4.57/7 vs. target 5.5/7)

Planned Features and Partnerships

• Integration with major services including:
  • Uber for rides
  • OpenTable for restaurants
  • Instacart for groceries
  • GrubHub for food delivery
  • Ticketmaster for events
  • Atom Tickets for movies
  • Thumbtack for home services

Timeline and Development

• Multiple 2024 launch dates have been missed
• Some reports suggest delay until 2025
• Amazon maintains focus on making Alexa "the world's best personal assistant"
• Company emphasizes challenge of creating reliable AI actions without hallucinations

Amazon plans to address device compatibility issues through "recycle and save" offers for newer Echo devices. The company aims to expand partnerships to approximately 200 within three years after launch.

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