Metis isn’t scheduled to launch until September, according to Eugene’s reporting, leaving time for its rivals to continue honing their chatbots.

(Apple Intelligence is also launching in the fall, but it’s not starting from scratch, thanks to OpenAI. It also has a built-in potential user base of iPhone users.)

Playing from behind has been the name of the game for Amazon with generative AI. The company that’s spent the past decade-plus sitting on top was left noticeably behind with the launch of ChatGPT back in 2022.

As disappointing as it might be for Amazon to trail its peers, there are some benefits to not being first. Amazon can see what’s worked and what’s gone horribly wrong for others.

One potential differentiator for Metis is its plans to offer more up-to-date responses, like the latest stock prices.

But will that be enough to get people to switch allegiances from their favored chatbot? Only time will tell, and that might not be something Amazon can afford.