Amazon.com Inc.
02/05/2026 | News release | Distributed by Public on 02/05/2026 04:40
What you need to know about Amazon today: February 5, 2026
Alexa+ now available to everyone in the US-and free for Prime members
Alexa+, Amazon's next-generation AI assistant powered by generative AI from Amazon Nova and Anthropic, is now available to all U.S. customers for $19.99 per month and included at no additional cost for Prime members, with a new free tier allowing non-Prime members to try the chat experience via Alexa.com and the Alexa app. After tens of millions of customers joined the Early Access program, Alexa+ has proven to be significantly more capable than the original Alexa-customers are having deeper, more complex conversations, interacting more than twice as much, and using new agentic capabilities to complete tasks like ordering takeout, booking reservations, automating homes, and getting homework help. Alexa+ is accessible on Alexa-enabled devices, Alexa.com, and the Alexa app, and will continue to become even smarter, faster, and more capable over time.
Alexa+, Amazon's next-generation AI assistant powered by generative AI from Amazon Nova and Anthropic, is now available to all U.S. customers for $19.99 per month and included at no additional cost for Prime members, with a new free tier allowing non-Prime members to try the chat experience via Alexa.com and the Alexa app. After tens of millions of customers joined the Early Access program, Alexa+ has proven to be significantly more capable than the original Alexa-customers are having deeper, more complex conversations, interacting more than twice as much, and using new agentic capabilities to complete tasks like ordering takeout, booking reservations, automating homes, and getting homework help. Alexa+ is accessible on Alexa-enabled devices, Alexa.com, and the Alexa app, and will continue to become even smarter, faster, and more capable over time.
Amazon sets new Prime delivery speed record in 2025
Amazon delivered over 13 billion items to Prime members globally at same-day or next-day speeds in 2025, marking a third consecutive year of record-breaking delivery speeds. U.S. Prime members alone received over 8 billion items, a 30% increase from the prior year, and saved an average of $550 on fast, free delivery in 2025, nearly four times the cost of an annual membership. The expanded delivery speeds and selection helped U.S. Prime members save an average of 64 trips to physical stores, equating to over 55 hours saved per member.
Amazon delivered over 13 billion items to Prime members globally at same-day or next-day speeds in 2025, marking a third consecutive year of record-breaking delivery speeds. U.S. Prime members alone received over 8 billion items, a 30% increase from the prior year, and saved an average of $550 on fast, free delivery in 2025, nearly four times the cost of an annual membership. The expanded delivery speeds and selection helped U.S. Prime members save an average of 64 trips to physical stores, equating to over 55 hours saved per member.
Ring's Search Party helps reunite more than one lost dog a day-now available to everyone
Ring has expanded its AI-powered Search Party for Dogs feature nationwide, now available to all U.S. users including non-Ring camera owners through the Ring app. The feature uses computer vision to help outdoor Ring cameras detect lost dogs, alerting camera owners to potential matches who can then share footage with pet owners. Since launch, Search Party has reunited more than one dog daily with their families. Ring is also committing $1 million to equip animal shelters with camera systems, partnering with organizations like Petco Love and Best Friends Animal Society. With over 1 million lost pet reports in the Neighbors app last year, this expansion addresses a critical community need while protecting user privacy through case-by-case sharing controls.
Ring has expanded its AI-powered Search Party for Dogs feature nationwide, now available to all U.S. users including non-Ring camera owners through the Ring app. The feature uses computer vision to help outdoor Ring cameras detect lost dogs, alerting camera owners to potential matches who can then share footage with pet owners. Since launch, Search Party has reunited more than one dog daily with their families. Ring is also committing $1 million to equip animal shelters with camera systems, partnering with organizations like Petco Love and Best Friends Animal Society. With over 1 million lost pet reports in the Neighbors app last year, this expansion addresses a critical community need while protecting user privacy through case-by-case sharing controls.
Amazon teams up with leading Indian university to turn farm waste into recyclable packaging
Amazon and IIT Roorkee are pioneering sustainable packaging by transforming agricultural waste into paper mailers. The 15-month research project converts crop residues like wheat straw and sugarcane bagasse-materials typically burned, causing severe air pollution-into recyclable, home-compostable packaging alternatives. This innovation will address India's 500 million tonnes of annual agricultural waste while reducing dependence on virgin wood pulp from freshly cut trees. Following successful lab-scale development at IIT Roorkee's INNOPAP facility, industrial trials and commercial production are expected by late 2026.
Amazon and IIT Roorkee are pioneering sustainable packaging by transforming agricultural waste into paper mailers. The 15-month research project converts crop residues like wheat straw and sugarcane bagasse-materials typically burned, causing severe air pollution-into recyclable, home-compostable packaging alternatives. This innovation will address India's 500 million tonnes of annual agricultural waste while reducing dependence on virgin wood pulp from freshly cut trees. Following successful lab-scale development at IIT Roorkee's INNOPAP facility, industrial trials and commercial production are expected by late 2026.
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