Eligible Amazon Prime and Alexa+ members can now customize their virtual assistant’s audio output with a broader range of voice options and personality modes. The update moves beyond the standard voice profiles and “Whisper Mode” previously available, offering users greater flexibility in how their Echo devices respond.
According to recent guidance from Engadget, customers can select from eight different voice types, though availability may vary by region. Alongside these vocal variations, Amazon has introduced five personality styles: Brief, Chill, Sweet, Sassy, and Original. These modifications alter the tone and delivery of Alexa’s responses without impacting the underlying accuracy or functional capabilities of the AI.
To adjust the voice, users can simply command, “Alexa, change your voice,” or navigate through the Alexa app via Devices, selecting the specific hardware, then Device Settings, and finally Alexa’s Voice. It is important to note that these settings are device-specific; maintaining a uniform voice or personality across multiple Echo units in a home requires configuring each device individually.
The personality styles offer distinct conversational flavors. Brief delivers concise answers for those preferring efficiency, while Chill provides a casual, conversational tone. Sweet is designed to be warmer and more encouraging, and Sassy injects a playful, witty edge. Selecting the Sassy option triggers an “adults only” confirmation prompt due to its use of colorful language and mild mockery, though the content remains suitable for general audiences.
For those interested in changing the personality style, the voice command “Alexa, change your personality style” will present the available choices. Alternatively, users can swipe through the options within the app under Device Settings > Alexa’s Personality Style. The Original setting remains accessible at any time for users who wish to revert to the default interaction model.
Amazon also clarified the status of legacy features. Celebrity voices, such as those modeled after Samuel L. Jackson, Melissa McCarthy, and Shaquille O’Neal, are no longer available. For families, animal-themed voices remain an option for compatible devices running Kid Mode, provided there is an active Amazon Kids+ subscription and the device language is set to English.
While these new features transform the auditory experience, they do not alter other core settings. Users wishing to rename the wake word from “Alexa” to a different term can still do so through the Echo device settings in the app, allowing for a fully personalized setup alongside the new voice and personality traits.
Anyone else wish these settings synced across all Echo devices automatically? Configuring each one individually is tedious.
RIP Samuel L. Jackson voice. That was genuinely the best feature. Eight generic voices just won’t cut it.
I’m here for the Chill voice. My home is chaotic enough without Alexa being brief and robotic!
Sassy mode sounds fun but the ‘adults only’ confirmation seems unnecessary. Why not just let users choose without hurdles?