Amazon is testing a way to search, compare and buy products by text message with Alexa for Shopping, starting with a small group of invited US customers.
Amazon is letting some US customers shop by texting its AI assistant, Alexa for Shopping. You can ask it to find products, compare options and buy for you, all in a text thread. The company announced the feature on Friday, according to Reuters.
Alexa for Shopping can help you research products and track deals and price drops. When you are ready, you can ask it to complete the purchase for you. The idea is to move from browsing to buying in one conversation, without opening the shopping app.
Not everyone yet. The feature starts with a small group of invited customers in the US. Amazon says a broader rollout will follow in the coming weeks.
The launch comes as AI shopping tools compete for access to online stores. Amazon recently blocked Meta's shopping agent, Muse. It said the tool appeared to access its store without permission and to store customer logins. Amazon is also in a legal dispute with Perplexity over its shopping agent, Comet. That case is still ongoing.
If you shop on Amazon, it is a good time to review your payment settings and understand what Alexa is allowed to buy on your behalf.
Before texting Alexa to buy things, review your Amazon payment settings and what the assistant can purchase for you.
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