Amazon is launching an update to Alexa Plus that lets the AI assistant connect to smart home devices in new ways, the company announced on July 23, 2026. The update, which is currently in preview, allows Alexa Plus to link up with tech from Bosch, Delta, Ecovacs, iRobot, Yale Home, Whirlpool, Tapo, Eufy, and others.
The new capability automatically routes requests to the correct device. Amazon shared an example: a person with a supported washing machine can say "Alexa, my kid’s soccer jersey could use a deep clean, but the tag says cold wash only." Alexa Plus would navigate the washer’s cycle options and choose the correct setting. The assistant can handle such requests without the user needing to know the exact button sequence or brand-specific commands.
New AI toolkit powers the expansion
The new integrations are powered by Amazon’s new AI developer toolkit. The toolkit is supposed to make it easier for device makers to connect to Alexa Plus, "including those with unique capabilities that weren’t supported before." The toolkit lets device makers describe their products’ capabilities in a standard way, and Alexa Plus uses that information to figure out what to do. This approach means the assistant can understand context and intent rather than requiring rigid, pre-programmed commands for each brand.
Amazon widely launched its revamped AI assistant in February 2026. That version can handle multi-step requests and help you create routines using your voice. But it currently only performs tasks in a limited number of third-party services: Ticketmaster, OpenTable, Uber, Thumbtack, Expedia, Yelp, Square, and Angi. That is eight services total. The limited set of integrations meant that early adopters could not use Alexa Plus for many everyday tasks beyond those eight partners.
Amazon is trying to change this. The company is adopting the Model Context Protocol (MCP), an open-source standard that allows AI models to connect to external systems and tools. MCP will give more brands the ability to interact with Alexa Plus. The open standard is already used in other AI systems, and Amazon’s adoption means developers can build integrations once and have them work across multiple platforms. This could reduce the work required for each new brand to connect to Alexa Plus.
More companies coming later in 2026
Canva, Headspace, Priceline, Lyft, Cengage, Virgin Atlantic, Weekend, and other companies are launching integrations later in 2026. That is at least seven companies. The range of services is broad: Canva brings graphic design capabilities, Headspace offers guided meditation, Priceline and Lyft handle travel and transportation, Cengage provides educational content, Virgin Atlantic is an airline, and Weekend is a lifestyle or travel company.
Priceline will give customers the ability to browse hotel options and book a trip directly through Alexa Plus. Priceline, Atom Tickets, Cengage, Fandango, and Taskrabbit will soon support payments through Amazon Wallet. This feature will make it easier to complete transactions without leaving the Alexa conversation. For example, a user could book a hotel room or buy movie tickets entirely through voice commands, with the payment processed through their Amazon Wallet.
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The update marks a significant step for Alexa Plus beyond its initial limited set of third-party integrations. By opening up to more smart home brands and adopting MCP, Amazon is positioning the assistant to handle a wider range of real-world tasks. The company is betting that a larger ecosystem of connected services will make Alexa Plus more useful and attractive to consumers.
How the smart home update works
The smart home update changes how Alexa Plus interacts with devices. Instead of requiring specific commands for each brand, the assistant can now understand context and intent. In the washing machine example, Alexa Plus interprets the user’s request, checks the machine’s available cycles, and selects the appropriate setting without the user needing to know the exact button sequence. The same logic applies to other supported devices from Bosch, Delta, Ecovacs, iRobot, Yale Home, Whirlpool, Tapo, and Eufy.
This works because the new AI developer toolkit lets device makers describe their products’ capabilities in a standard way. Alexa Plus then uses that information to figure out what to do. The update supports eight brands initially, with more expected to follow. Amazon did not specify a timeline for adding additional smart home brands beyond the initial eight.
What comes next
Amazon is betting that MCP will accelerate adoption. The open standard is already used in other AI systems, and Amazon’s adoption means developers can build integrations once and have them work across multiple platforms. This could lead to faster rollout of new capabilities for Alexa Plus users.
The companies launching later in 2026 cover a broad range of services. Canva brings graphic design capabilities. Headspace offers guided meditation. Priceline and Lyft handle travel and transportation. Cengage provides educational content. Virgin Atlantic is an airline. Weekend is a lifestyle or travel company. Each integration will bring new voice-controlled functionality to Alexa Plus, expanding what the assistant can do beyond the initial eight services.
Payments through Amazon Wallet will make it easier to complete transactions without leaving the Alexa conversation. Atom Tickets, Fandango, and Taskrabbit join Priceline and Cengage in supporting the wallet feature. This means users can book travel, buy movie tickets, or hire a handyman all through voice commands, with payments handled automatically. The wallet integration is expected to go live alongside the respective brand integrations later in 2026.