Amazon has introduced a text-based shopping feature through Alexa for Shopping, its artificial intelligence-powered shopping assistant, allowing customers in the United States to search for products and make purchases through text messages. The company announced on Friday that the new feature would initially be available to a small group of invited US customers, with a wider rollout expected in the coming weeks. The service enables users to research and compare products, monitor deals and price reductions, and ask Alexa for Shopping to complete purchases on their behalf. Customers can communicate with the assistant through text messages instead of relying exclusively on Amazon’s shopping app or website. According to Amazon, the feature is designed to simplify shopping by allowing users to describe their requirements conversationally. The assistant can identify relevant products, provide recommendations and help customers complete transactions. The launch comes as technology companies increasingly develop AI-powered shopping assistants capable of handling tasks traditionally performed by consumers. Amazon’s move also follows its recent decision to block Meta’s AI shopping agent, Muse, from accessing its marketplace. The company reportedly raised concerns about unauthorised access and the handling of customer credentials. Amazon has also been involved in a legal dispute with Perplexity over its AI shopping agent, Comet. A US appeals court overturned an earlier restriction on the tool in August, while the case remains ongoing. The introduction of text-based Alexa shopping reflects Amazon’s broader efforts to expand AI-driven services and strengthen its position in online retail as competition between technology companies intensifies.

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