Imagine this: A personal assistant who finally understands you without the need for robotic phrasing! That’s the promise of Amazon's new Alexa Plus, which aims to make your life easier with its voice-activated capabilities, including a groundbreaking feature called agentic AI.

After a week of testing, I was excited to see whether Alexa could tackle my various tasks—like reserving a table for a friend's birthday, finding a reliable electrician, or snagging concert tickets.

Can Alexa Become My Go-To Assistant?

The vision is clear: Alexa will act as my AI agent, navigating the web on my behalf. However, the reality is a bit disappointing. Alexa Plus is still too limited, relying on partnerships with select services like Ticketmaster, OpenTable, Uber, and Thumbtack. It can’t just surf the web and fulfill my every command. I found it could handle basic tasks, but it’s nowhere near replacing me.

In its Early Access beta phase, Amazon promises more integrations in the near future, which could include ordering groceries via voice commands and making spa appointments. Grocery shopping could be a game-changer for me if Alexa could link my shopping list directly to services like Instacart.

Ticket Booking—A Glimpse of Potential?

Among the tasks I tried, booking a ticket through Ticketmaster stood out as the best experience. After a rocky start—one that mistakenly suggested youth basketball games—I asked about events in Charleston. Alexa listed several options, including a Chris Isaak concert, which caught my interest because I’m a fan of "Wicked Game."

Alexa successfully found me balcony seats priced at $98.15 and guided me through the purchasing steps. However, I backed out before finalizing the purchase—an alarm bell rang when I learned later that anyone accessing my Alexa could order tickets. A PIN option would be a wise addition, Amazon!

Dining Dilemma: Alexa Misses the Mark

Next on my agenda was booking a dinner for two in Charleston. While Alexa provided three options, I was left underwhelmed by the limited selection, especially considering Charleston’s vibrant food scene. Nevertheless, when I asked to reschedule, Alexa successfully adjusted my reservation to a later date—though it took longer and was less accurate than my own efforts on the OpenTable app.

Electrical Help: A Hands-Free Attempt

Finally, I tested Alexa’s capability to find an electrician for my long-neglected sprinkler pump issue. It provided a list of highly-rated professionals through Thumbtack. However, the process felt clunky, almost like voice-filling a web form. Hours later, although I received a text from the electrician, the experience was far from seamless.

Yet, I appreciated being able to manage tasks hands-free while multitasking as a busy mom. Although Alexa Plus boasts impressive technology, it fell short in depth and reliability. For now, I won’t fully depend on it to handle my to-do list.

Conclusion: A Work in Progress

Ultimately, while Alexa Plus shows promise, its current limitations mean I’ll need to stick to my traditional methods—at least until it gets a few important updates to enhance its functionality. Can Alexa ever truly become my trusty go-to assistant? Only time will tell!