[Gadgets] Amazon Reveals New Alexa Gadgets

[GL HERO SHIMA]

 

Last night, Amazon unveiled the latest in its line of Alexa-powered devices. From a wall clock to a power point to a microwave, all of these voice activated products are designed to respond to your spoken whims and desires – plus integrate the Amazon infrastructure furthermore into your daily routine, naturally.

The lineup was eclectic, to say the least. While some old favorites have been updated – the Echo range has been revised with better speakers – there were also some rather left-field choices. A voice activated microwave doesn't seem like an obvious must-have, while Amazon also revealed a wall clock that can be linked to your existing Alexa devices.

It seems that Amazon won't rest until everything in your home can be activated with a few key commands. We take a look at the lineup. Sorry, I mean ‘Alexa. Show me the lineup'.

 

Latest Alexa Products

AmazonBasics Microwave

Echo Auto

Echo Wall Clock

Echo Dot and Plus

Echo Show

Echo Input

Echo Sub

Echo Link and Amp

Echo Smart Plug

AmazonBasics Microwave

What does it do? The AmazonBasics range is essentially Amazon's value line of products. The name is usually assigned to products such as USB cables or pens

So, an Alexa-enabled microwave is something of a surprise, to say the least. The Microwave doesn't have Alexa functionality built-in. Instead, it communicates with your existing Echo device. Instead of having to push multiple pesky buttons (what a drag), you can now just push the Alexa button and tell the microwave to heat up your meal for one (quite how the meal got into the microwave without you being close enough to just hit the on-button is another matter).

In its advertising, Amazon makes a big deal about the fact ‘you don't have to say Alexa' to activate the microwave. Arguably, pushing a button to order a voice command seems somewhat backwards, especially when the other buttons to do the job the old fashioned way are right there.

It also has a dedicated popcorn button. No, it really does. The folk at Amazon clearly like popcorn, because the microwave will automatically detect when you're running out and reorder more popcorn for you.

Is it worth it? While there's a novelty value in ordering a machine to cook your dinner, like some sort of tyrannical king or 1950's husband, it does seem exceptionally lazy. However, with its low price point and sheer entertainment value, there are bound to be plenty of interested amateur chefs and hardcore popcorn enthusiasts.

https://tech.co/news/amazon-new-alexa-echo-auto-dot-show-microwave-2018-09