Amazon launches SMS-based Alexa shopping feature
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Amazon announced a new feature that lets some U.S. users converse with the Alexa agent via text message to complete shopping, supporting product search, adding items to the cart, and placing orders, as well as managing lists, tracking prices, searching across websites, comparing prices, checking order status, and uploading images to search for similar products. Some invited U.S. users will receive a text message prompting them to enable the feature, and those not invited can join a waitlist; Amazon said it will expand the rollout in the coming weeks. The feature launches ahead of the holiday shopping season, after Amazon blocked Meta's Muse from querying its website in September.
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- TechCrunch · AIAfter blocking Muse, Amazon now lets users text Alexa to help them shop
Amazon is launching a feature that lets select U.S. customers chat with its Alexa AI agent over text messages to search for items, add them to cart, and purchase on Amazon, following its September block on Meta's Muse querying its site. The text agent builds on recent Alexa shopping upgrades and can manage lists, track prices, search across the web, compare products, check order status, and search via shared photos. Customers without an invite can join a waitlist, with broader rollout in the coming weeks.
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