Amazon has introduced a new feature allowing users to send text messages to its Alexa assistant to facilitate shopping, the company announced. The update enables customers to communicate with Alexa via written messages rather than voice commands, with Amazon stating the capability will roll out to millions of users over the coming weeks. The move follows the company's recent decision to block the AI-generated music project Muse, underscoring shifting dynamics in how Amazon governs third-party and generative artificial intelligence applications across its platforms. The texting feature is positioned as a convenience for users in environments where voice interaction is impractical, such as offices, public transport, or quiet households.
Amazon said the text-based shopping assistant will allow users to search for products, compare prices, and complete purchases through written exchanges with Alexa. The company has not disclosed a precise timeline for full availability or specified which devices and regions will receive the feature first. The announcement comes as major technology firms intensify competition in conversational commerce, seeking to integrate AI assistants more deeply into daily purchasing behavior. Analysts note that text-based interaction may broaden accessibility for users with hearing impairments or those uncomfortable with voice-activated devices. Amazon has not commented on whether the Muse block and the new texting capability are related, though both reflect the company's expanding role in regulating and shaping how consumers interact with AI-driven services on its platforms.
Independent reporting synthesized from primary wires and global correspondents.