You might need to pay for Amazon Alexa

Amazon is working on Alexa Plus

Amazon’s upgraded home assistant: Alexa Plus, features enhanced artificial intelligence capabilities. However, rumors are circulating that the new version of the popular virtual assistant could come with a paid subscription, raising questions about whether users would actually pay for it.

One of the key features of Alexa Plus is its use of a new and improved Large Language Model (LLM) designed to make it more conversational or customizable. While this upgrade promises a more seamless interaction with the virtual assistant at first, reports say that Alexa Plus is causing problems within Amazon itself.

Confusion, hallucination, old tech, and subscription are causing the problems

One issue is that the device struggles to handle multiple requests at the same time. Some testers also reported encountering “AI Hallucinations” where Alexa Plus allegedly provided inaccurate or made up responses.

Internally, Alexa Plus is facing challenges that could delay its launch. Employees involved in the development process are expressing concerns about the new model with some wanting parts of the older version's technology to be used in the new Alexa Plus.

Concerns have also been raised on the introduction of a paid subscription model. Some employees believe that users accustomed to the free services offered by the previous version might not embrace a subscription-based model.

Chinese researches create way to protect transactions using quantum tech

Quantum tech to protect a trade

The experiment was done because traditional encryptions for transactions are more prone to hacking as computers become more powerful and advanced.

According to Xinhua News Agency, Researchers at Nanjing University and Renmin University in China have created a quantum digital signature that protects the rules of a trade by making it more trustworthy, authentic and can't be denied by anyone involved.

How it works

This works by using ‘Quantum Entanglement’. Quantum entanglement is where two or more particles become interconnected in that the state of one particle instantly influences the state of the other, regardless of the distance between them.

When information is encoded on one particle, its entangled partner also reflects changes simultaneously.

In the case of trading protocols, using quantum entanglement strengthens the security of the digital signature by making it extremely difficult for unauthorized parties to change or forge the rules of a trade without detection.

This can also ensure that contract signing and payments are done faster, accurate and without the need for a third party.

FedEx builds an ecommerce platform to rival Amazon

FedEx will release its own ecommerce platform “FDX” to rival Amazon.

For merchants, FDX will offer:

1. Increased conversions and streamlined fulfillment process through FexEx’s data

2. Carbon emissions reports on chosen shipping methods. Shipping and returns accounted for 37% of total greenhouse gas emissions in 2020.

3. The best delivery routes for the fastest deliveries.

4. Access to ShopRunner's customer network to provide merchants with access to the network of high-value customers associated with ShopRunner.

For customers, FDX has:

1. Real-time estimated delivery times as items are added to the cart.

2. Simplified returns process by having it done in one platform. 92% of customers become repeat customers if returns are made easier.