Amazon's Alexa Learns To Shop Via Text

Amazon's Alexa is enhancing its shopping capabilities with a new feature that allows users to send text messages with their requests. This service is currently in a limited invite-only phase for select customers in the United States, with a broader release expected soon.

Users can now text Alexa to manage their shopping needs, such as placing a weekly grocery order, finding a specific gift, or requesting a re-order of items running low. The AI is also equipped to handle photo attachments, scanning them to find matching products and adding them to the user's cart after approval.

Over time, Alexa aims to provide more personalized recommendations by learning user shopping habits and tastes. Additionally, customers can use text prompts to set up sale alerts for desired products, inquire about pricing history for up to a year, and check the status of upcoming deliveries. All requests made via text are synchronized with the Amazon Shopping app and website.