Months after Amazon made Alexa+ available through its own devices, it’s now coming to third-party hardware.
Bose has introduced a new Lifestyle Collection of home audio hardware that makes Alexa+ a staple feature. As with Amazon devices, you can issue complex, natural-sounding voice commands that would thwart other AI assistants. You can ask to slot in a half-hour meditation session with a recommended ambient music playlist, among other examples.
The core is a $299 Lifestyle Ultra Speaker that can be used by itself or as part of a larger setup, with vertical firing when used as part of a Dolby Atmos-capable array. The $1,099 Lifestyle Ultra Soundbar combines four front-facing drivers, two upward-firing drivers, and two PhaseGuide dimensional drivers to provide spatial audio even for content that isn’t mastered for Atmos. An $899 Lifestyle Ultra Subwoofer adds bass and, combined with the rest, can help create a 7.1.4-channel sound system.
The Lifestyle Collection connects using Wi-Fi to Apple AirPlay, Google Cast, and Spotify Connect. Bluetooth is also available for streaming directly from your devices.
Alexa+ on Bose: backwards compatibility and pricing
You don’t need the latest hardware
Bose and Amazon note that Alexa+ is also coming to older devices, so you don’t need the Lifestyle Collection to take advantage of the upgraded AI. The following devices support it in the U.S. after opting in through the Alexa website:
- Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar
- Bose Smart Soundbar (model 300, 600, and 900)
- Bose Portable Smart Speaker
- Bose Home Speaker (model 300, 450, and 500)
- Bose Soundbar (model 500, 550, and 700)
- Bose Music Amplifier
As usual, Alexa+ is either free with a Prime membership or available separately for $20 per month.
Brand
Bose
Connectivity
Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, AirPlay, Spotify, Google Cast
Ports
3.5mm AUX
The Bose Lifestyle Ultra Speaker features a room-filling spatial audio speaker array, Wi-Fi connectivity, AirPlay support, Bluetooth, and so much more. It can also serve in a home theater when paired with an additional Lifestyle Ultra Speaker, and it’s among the first devices to support Amazon’s AI-enhanced Alexa+.
More companies are expected to support Alexa+ in the future. However, the Bose rollout by itself significantly expands choices. Until now, your best choices were the Echo Studio and Echo Dot Max. While the Lifestyle Collection isn’t meant to compete with the highest-end home theater options, it gives you a meaningful upgrade to audio quality without sacrificing smart home functionality.
