Amazon, in addition to a flurry of new Echo products, also introduced its first smart kitchen appliance, the AmazonBasics Microwave at its annual hardware event in Seattle. Priced at a sum of $59.99 (~Rs 4,300), the new device, of course, can be controlled with any Alexa powered device letting you command it with just your voice.

$60 amazonbasics microwave with alexa announced alongside smart plug and echo wall clock - amazonbasics microwave 1

The AmazonBasics Microwave is also compatible with the company’s Dash Replenishment Service if you’d to enable automatic reorders for popcorn. It can also connect with any nearby Alexa-compatible speaker or an Echo product itself to play music. The microwave is powered by Alexa Connect Kit, a low-cost Bluetooth Low Energy and Wi-Fi module that is designed to bring smart features to standard home appliances.

In addition, Amazon also launched a $30 wall clock which integrates with Alexa which can display timers and automatically adjust the time. The 60 LED ring can display multiple timers for cooking, countdown to a family event, and show visual animations for alarms and reminders to keep you on schedule. It connects to the Echo device via Bluetooth.

$60 amazonbasics microwave with alexa announced alongside smart plug and echo wall clock - echo wall clock kitchen

There’s also a new $25 smart plug which can be linked to Alexa allowing you to individually label it and simply say specific commands such as “turn off the bedroom light”. It works alongside a compatible Alexa-enabled device like Echo, Fire TV, Fire tablet, Sonos One, or even just the Alexa app on your phone.

$60 amazonbasics microwave with alexa announced alongside smart plug and echo wall clock - amazon smart plug white kitchen

Apart from the home appliances, Amazon has upgraded nearly its entire line of Echo devices including the Echo Dot, Echo Plus, and Echo Show. A new device called Echo Input has been added to the lineup as well. It’s essentially an Echo Dot minus the speaker which can you plug into any other compatible third-party speaker.

The AmazonBasics Microwave and Smart Plug are the first of many products in Amazon’s grander plan to establish a more prominent presence in your home. The core aim, of course, here is to wove you deeper into Amazon’s ecosystem which will consequently make you a more active shopper. The company also claims there are now over 20,000 Alexa compatible smart home devices, up from 4,000 in January.

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