The end of free Alexa? Amazon might announce a major Echo update tomorrow

There's a massive 24 hours ahead for Amazon with the online retail giant confirming that it is holding a major launch event tomorrow, February 26. The grand unveiling is taking place in New York and the star of the show could be a shiny new Alexa. This popular assistant is already used millions of times a month to set timers, read out the latest news headlines, make family announcements and confirm if the UK will be doused in rain once again.

Alexa has become part of many of our routines, but it seems she's about to get even smarter. Amazon has already given us a glimpse of what its personal assistant is capable of with a demo - back in 2023 - showing how she could be far more conversational and feel more like a real person rather than a robot.

Once a conversation is started there's no longer the need to keep saying "Alexa" with the assistant knowing you are speaking with her.

Since that early look in Washington DC, things have gone very quiet from the Amazon team, and there's been no news about an official launch of this new-look Alexa, but that could all change tomorrow.

It's been confirmed that Amazon's SVP Panos Panay (who used to head up Microsoft's Surface devices) will lead the announcements, and expect plenty of big upgrades to be revealed, including that Alexa boost.

It's thought that along with making the chatty assistant more, errr, chatty, the assistant will also be able to do things such as send emails, reply to texts, offer improved searches and even be able to order favourite takeaways on Saturday nights.

For Alexa users, it all sounds pretty exciting, but it may come at a cost. Rumours are rife that the premium version of the assistant could be priced at around $10 per month (£7.70).

Amazon is unlikely to kill off the free version completely but those wanting all the best features may find they have to fork out for yet another subscription.

We will find out full details tomorrow and Alexa may not be the only update announced.

Devices such as Echo speakers and entry-level Fire TV Sticks haven't been updated in over 18 months and are well overdue for an refresh.

Tomorrow's event could be the perfect time to launch some new hardware alongside that improved software.

Things will kick off at around 10am ET - that's 3pm GMT. express.co.uk is heading across the pond and will bring you all the news live as it happens so watch this space.