Amazon has finally launched its upgraded Alexa experience, Alexa+, but the service is reportedly missing several key features that were showcased during a press event in late February. Despite promises to deliver a more advanced AI-powered assistant, Alexa+ has fallen short of expectations, leaving users wondering when they can expect to see the full range of capabilities.

According to a report by The Washington Post, Alexa+ is currently unable to perform certain "agentic" AI tasks, such as ordering takeout on Grubhub or generating stories to entertain kids. These features were prominently displayed during Amazon's press event, leading many to believe they would be available at launch. Additionally, the assistant cannot visually identify people and remind them to do particular chores, or brainstorm gift ideas, further limiting its functionality.

Other features, such as the ability to order an Uber and get cooking recommendations, are only being rolled out to a subset of users, with no clear timeline for wider availability. Furthermore, a web app announced for Alexa+ last month remains without a concrete release window, leaving users in the dark about when they can expect to see these features.

The launch of Alexa+ has been plagued by issues from the beginning, with challenges related to the AI infrastructure underpinning the service. It appears that Amazon is still struggling to overcome these hurdles, which may explain the limited feature set at launch. The company's decision to launch Alexa+ in its current state may be seen as a strategic move to get the service out the door, but it risks disappointing users and damaging the brand's reputation.

The implications of Alexa+'s limited launch are significant, particularly in the context of the competitive smart speaker market. Amazon's main rivals, Google and Apple, have been investing heavily in their own AI-powered assistants, and the lack of features in Alexa+ may give them an opportunity to gain ground. Furthermore, the delay in delivering on promised features may erode user trust and hinder adoption of the service.

Despite the setbacks, Amazon remains committed to developing Alexa+ into a more advanced AI-powered assistant. The company will need to move quickly to address the current limitations and deliver on its promises if it hopes to maintain its position in the market. As the smart speaker market continues to evolve, one thing is clear: users expect more from their AI-powered assistants, and Amazon will need to deliver if it wants to stay ahead of the curve.