The Amazon representative also noted that users can still connect a device to their Echo via Bluetooth, which is probably the most common way to connect third-party devices to Amazon speakers today. The spokesperson said that very few people use voice commands to control audio from a device connected to an Echo’s AUX, suggesting that few users are affected.
Still, it’s frustrating to see a company remove a feature from purchased devices that users may have relied on for years and for no stated reason. The Amazon representative did not answer Ars’ questions about why Amazon removed this Alexa capability or how many users are affected.
“They had functionality, it’s not like it’s a security issue or anything like that. “I can’t understand why they would just remove a feature beyond enshitification,” said one Reddit user in response to the news.
Removing the feature may make it easier for Amazon to maintain Alexa, especially as Amazon dedicates more resources to improving its subscription-based, AI-powered version of Alexa, Alexa+.
This is not the first time Amazon has removed functionality from purchased devices. Last year, it removed the ability for users to block their Echo device from sending voice recordings of commands spoken to Alexa to Amazon. Echo 4th Gen, Echo Show 15, and Echo Show 10 all supported this capability.
