Alexa Adds Microwaves To Her Repertoire

Amazon will reveal later this month at least eight new voice-controlled hardware devices that the company plans to release by the end of this year.

According to sources who shared information with CNBC, the devices include a microwave oven, an amplifier, a receiver, a subwoofer, and an in-car gadget. All of the devices will be Alexa-enabled, while some will also have the voice assistant built in.

Amazon declined to comment on the report, but in a statement in July, founder and CEO Jeff Bezos said, “We want customers to be able to use Alexa wherever they are. There are now tens of thousands of developers across more than 150 countries building new devices using the Alexa Voice Service, and the number of Alexa-enabled devices has more than tripled in the past year.”

The move into home appliances will see Amazon taking on companies like Sonos and GE. The eCommerce giant has made plenty of recent progress in the connected home, including acquiring smart doorbell maker Ring for $1 billion in February. A few months later, it rolled out a home security service offering that includes a consultant who will help with the installation of the smart home equipment Amazon is selling.

In addition, Amazon announced in May the opening of Amazon Experience Centers within some Lennar model homes across the United States, which showcase Alexa-enabled smart home functions. Reports say that Lennar has been “prioritizing Amazon” while also working with existing supplier Apple.

While visiting these Alexa-enabled smart homes, customers can ask the voice assistant to control the television, lights, thermostat, shades and more. The model homes show consumers how they can use Alexa in their everyday lives and can experience how they can reorder household items with the Amazon Dash Button, listen or watch Prime content with Fire TV or schedule on-demand home services through Amazon Home Services.