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Amazon launches an AI shopping assistant for the search bar, powered by Alexa+

Whether you like it or not, Amazon continues to put AI at the center of the shopping journey. The company announced Wednesday “Alexa for Shopping,” its new personalized AI shopping assistant, powered by Alexa+. Notably, the experience will replace Rufus, its generative AI shopping assistant that launched in 2024. According to the company, Alexa for Shopping is designed to offer a voice- and touch-enabled shopping experience across mobile, desktop, and Echo Show smart displays. While Rufus focused on helping customers discover and compare products, Alexa for Shopping is meant to provide more personalized recommendations and automate the shopping experience across Amazon and other online retailers. Now available to U.S. customers, Alexa for Shopping can answer anything from “What’s a good skincare routine for men?” to “When did I last order AA batteries?” Users can type their question into the main search bar or the dedicated Alexa for Shopping chat window, and Alexa will provide tailored answers, recommendations, and even create custom shopping guides. The company says the assistant understands customers’ habits, preferences, and purchase history to bring “that connected, personalized assistance to how you shop” and to make the assistant “more personal and more helpful over time.” Image Credits:Amazon Beyond answering questions, Alexa for Shopping can compare products, track prices, and even schedule recurring orders for essentials like pet food or paper towels. If you want to automatically add something to your cart when it goes on sale, you can just tell Alexa, “Add this sunscreen to my cart if the price drops to $10.” Additionally, the assistant can also go beyond Amazon’s marketplace, shopping other online stores and using its “Buy for Me” feature to handle the purchase for you, which could be seen as convenient but also a little controversial, given the growing concern around AI autonomy and privacy. The launch of Alexa for Shopping comes on the heels of Amazon introducing its 30-minute delivery service, “Amazon Now,” in dozens of U.S. cities, and a new AI-powered feature that generates real-time conversational audio responses to customer product questions. When you purchase through links in our articles, we may earn a small commission. This doesn’t affect our editorial independence. Lauren covers media, streaming, apps and platforms at TechCrunch. You can contact or verify outreach from Lauren by emailing laurenf.techcrunch@gmail.com or via encrypted message at laurenforris22.25 on Signal. View Bio

Reported via TechCrunch·May 16, 2026·2 news reports synthesized
Amazon launches an AI shopping assistant for the search bar, powered by Alexa+
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TechCrunch·Sat, May 16, 2026

Users turn to jailbreaking their older Kindles as Amazon ends support

Users turn to jailbreaking their older Kindles as Amazon ends support

Many people are jailbreaking their Kindles following the news that Amazon is ending technical support for older models.

On May 20, Amazon will end support for the following Kindle devices:

Kindle 1st Generation

Kindle 2nd Generation

Kindle DX

Kindle DX Graphite

Kindle Keyboard

Kindle 4

Kindle 5

Kindle Touch

Kindle Paperwhite 1st Generation

Kindle Fire 1st Generation

Kindle Fire 2nd Generation

Kindle Fire HD 7

Kindle Fire HD 8.9

The move means users will only be able to use their devices to read content that’s already downloaded. So, naturally, people are jailbreaking them.

Jailbreaking refers to bypassing the software restrictions imposed by Amazon on Kindle devices. This process allows users to install custom fonts, new screensavers, alternative reading apps, and even third-party tools that expand the Kindle’s functionality.

However, it’s important to note that jailbreaking a Kindle might violate Amazon’s terms of service. In many jurisdictions, jailbreaking isn’t considered a criminal offense for personal use, but it may become a crime if it involves copyright infringement, illegal software distribution, or the sale of modified devices.

This guide is for informational purposes only. Always comply with the law and proceed with caution.

How are people jailbreaking older Kindles?

Many Kindle owners who opt to jailbreak view it as a method to gain control over a device they purchased that is still functional, rather than being forced to buy a new device.

However, jailbreaking is technical and carries risks, including the possibility of rendering the device unusable if something goes wrong. It also isn’t possible on every Kindle model or firmware version, so before proceeding, Kindle owners should first spend some time researching if their device is compatible.

Once an owner confirms compatibility, they will take a number of other steps:

Disable Wi-Fi or use airplane mode to prevent Amazon from updating the Kindle and closing jailbreak loopholes.

Download a jailbreak package from trusted online forums. Only download files from reputable sources, as there is a risk of malicious files from unknown sources. (The MobileRead Forum is widely regarded as a reliable option.)

Download the Kindle jailbreak zip file, which includes a hotfix to maintain the jailbreak.

Connect the Kindle to a computer using a USB cable. Then, copy the .bin files directly to the main folder on your Kindle. After that, either type ";log mrpi" in the search bar on the Kindle or go to the settings and select "Update Your Kindle" to start the installation process.

Install the Kindle Unified Application Launcher (KUAL) for managing apps and customizations on a jailbroken Kindle.

Users can also install KOReader, a popular open-source e-book reader for jailbroken Kindles. It offers features like support for multiple file types (including EPUB), enhanced PDF handling, and a built-in file browser.

Drawbacks to consider

Jailbreaking has its trade-offs. Running unofficial software can lead to unexpected issues, such as frequent app crashes or, in the worst case, a completely non-functional device. Additionally, jailbreaking and using third-party apps may negatively affect battery life.

For those seeking a safer alternative, you can always sideload books onto your Kindle using a USB cable and a computer without modifying the system software.

There are also plenty of other similar devices available, such as the Boox Palma, Vivlio e-reader, and even this tiny Xteink X3 that can attach to the back of your phone. When you purchase through links in our articles, we may earn a small commission. This doesn’t affect our editorial independence.

Lauren covers media, streaming, apps and platforms at TechCrunch.

You can contact or verify outreach from Lauren by emailing laurenf.techcrunch@gmail.com or via encrypted message at laurenforris22.25 on Signal.

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Source:TechCrunchView original report ↗

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TechCrunch·Wed, May 13, 2026

Whether you like it or not, Amazon continues to put AI at the center of the shopping journey. The company announced Wednesday “Alexa for Shopping,” its new personalized AI shopping assistant, powered by Alexa+.

Notably, the experience will replace Rufus, its generative AI shopping assistant that launched in 2024. According to the company, Alexa for Shopping is designed to offer a voice- and touch-enabled shopping experience across mobile, desktop, and Echo Show smart displays. While Rufus focused on helping customers discover and compare products, Alexa for Shopping is meant to provide more personalized recommendations and automate the shopping experience across Amazon and other online retailers.

Now available to U.S. customers, Alexa for Shopping can answer anything from “What’s a good skincare routine for men?” to “When did I last order AA batteries?” Users can type their question into the main search bar or the dedicated Alexa for Shopping chat window, and Alexa will provide tailored answers, recommendations, and even create custom shopping guides. The company says the assistant understands customers’ habits, preferences, and purchase history to bring “that connected, personalized assistance to how you shop” and to make the assistant “more personal and more helpful over time.”

Image Credits:Amazon

Beyond answering questions, Alexa for Shopping can compare products, track prices, and even schedule recurring orders for essentials like pet food or paper towels. If you want to automatically add something to your cart when it goes on sale, you can just tell Alexa, “Add this sunscreen to my cart if the price drops to $10.”

Additionally, the assistant can also go beyond Amazon’s marketplace, shopping other online stores and using its “Buy for Me” feature to handle the purchase for you, which could be seen as convenient but also a little controversial, given the growing concern around AI autonomy and privacy.

The launch of Alexa for Shopping comes on the heels of Amazon introducing its 30-minute delivery service, “Amazon Now,” in dozens of U.S. cities, and a new AI-powered feature that generates real-time conversational audio responses to customer product questions. When you purchase through links in our articles, we may earn a small commission. This doesn’t affect our editorial independence.

Lauren covers media, streaming, apps and platforms at TechCrunch.

You can contact or verify outreach from Lauren by emailing laurenf.techcrunch@gmail.com or via encrypted message at laurenforris22.25 on Signal.

View Bio

Source:TechCrunchView original report ↗

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