Yandex restores most Alisa AI and smart-device functions after outages
In short
Yandex said most functions of its Alisa AI (Алиса AI) chat service, smart speakers and YaOS televisions were available again after outages. A later detailed account said smart-home control had been restored, while calls, some speaker features and partner-device operations still faced restrictions.
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Yandex has restored most functions of its Alisa AI (Алиса AI) chat service, smart speakers and televisions running YaOS, according to company statements reported by Russian outlets. The recovery followed several days of service disruption. Reports published on October 14 described most chat and device functions as available again, while detailed coverage on October 15 said some features still remained restricted or unstable. [ 10 , 11 , 13 , 15 , 16 ]
CNews reported that users could again access the chat service's expert mode, text and image generation, file handling and studio tools. Smart speakers and televisions had regained functions including alarms, reminders, timers, weather information and answers to questions. The outlet said smart-home control had been fully restored, including creating and running automation scenarios and connecting, controlling and viewing streams from AI cameras. This followed October 13 accounts that lighting and temperature controls had returned while cloud automation and event histories still faced limitations. [ 4 , 5 , 15 ]
The later CNews report, citing Yandex representatives, said calls on smart speakers were still unavailable. Where several speakers were present, the feature identifying the nearest device could work unreliably, allowing multiple devices to answer the same command. Simultaneous music playback on several speakers, stories and baby-monitor functions were unstable, and karaoke remained restricted on television connections. The company also warned that connecting and operating partner smart-home devices could still be unstable. [ 15 ]
The outages followed damage to Yandex data centres in the Ryazan, Kaluga and Vladimir regions, according to the reports. Separately, 3DNews reported that the company would waive charges for Yandex Cloud from October 8 through 31, including recalculating charges already accrued during that period. It said Yandex 360 virtual-office tools would also operate without charges through the end of the month, covering corporate and individual customers. The report said the measures applied to all clients, including those not affected by the disruptions. [ 5 , 6 , 8 ]
Why it matters
The outages disrupted connected-home equipment as well as Yandex services. Restored controls and automation bring functions back, but the company said some features remained unavailable or unstable.
Key facts
- Yandex said most Alisa AI chat, smart-speaker and YaOS television functions had been restored. [ 10 , 11 , 13 , 15 ]
- CNews reported restored smart-home control, including creating and running automation scenarios and using AI cameras. [ 15 ]
- Calls on smart speakers remained unavailable, while several multi-speaker features were unstable, according to Yandex's account reported by CNews. [ 15 ]
- 3DNews reported that Yandex Cloud would not be billed for October 8-31 and that Yandex 360 tools would also be free through month-end. [ 8 ]
Confirmed by several sources
Still unclear
- The supplied reports do not give a date for the removal of all remaining restrictions. The latest coverage still described unavailable or unstable features and continuing restoration.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- On October 13, Kommersant reported that most smart-home functions were restored, with automation and history restrictions remaining. [ 4 ]
- On October 14, RBC reported restoration of most Alisa AI chat, speaker and television functions. [ 10 ]
- On October 15, CNews detailed restored smart-home control and remaining device limitations. [ 15 ]